Heat loss is an issue even in warmer climates, such as Los Angeles. Depending on your elevation in this area, you may experience some chilly nights, and you’ll want to be sure when you do use the furnace, that you’re not creating higher energy bills than need be. Check out a few tips for reducing heat loss.
- Heating vents: Inspect your heating vents frequently, as they work as natural dust traps when not in use. Look at your home’s vents to remove dust and other debris.
- Water heater: Reduce heat loss by wrapping your water heater in a quality insulation blanket. This lowers energy use by as much as 10 percent. You may also want to lower the heater’s temperature to reduce your energy bill further.
- Air filters: Clean air filters in forced-air heating systems on a monthly basis and replace them about every three months. Removing dust and debris means the furnace won’t have to work so hard, which reduces energy use. Warm air circulates within the home faster, which helps inhibit the spread of flu.
- Home exterior: Look around the exterior of your home for any cracks, holes and other imperfections in the siding and foundation that bring unwanted cool air into the home. Check for rotted wood and sealing gaps as well. Use caulk, weatherstripping and other insulation materials to fix.
- Exposed piping: Check for exposed piping around your water heater and follow the piping to look for other exposure sites. This is especially essential if the water heater is located in an insulation-free basement.
- Joints: Inspect your window and door joints, which is where sealing is loosest due to normal wear and tear. Light an incense stick. Place the stick in front of affected areas; if the smoke “dances,” you will need to use insulation materials in those areas.
- Shingles: Take a look at your roof for missing or loosened tile and shingles. Make repairs from your attic or crawlspace.
For more tips relating to heat loss, please contact us at Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating. We have served Los Angeles and North Hollywood since 1967.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat loss and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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