How To Manage Your Home’s Heating Load For Increased Energy Savings

Heating load refers to the total amount of heat it takes to keep your house comfortably warm in the winter. Your HVAC technician can determine your heating load by performing an energy load calculation, an essential step if you are considering upgrading your heating equipment.

 

But there are strategies you can use to manage your home’s heating load — regardless of whether you are planning an upgrade — to reduce your heating system’s energy use:

 

  • Seal your ductwork. If your ducts are cracked or have loose connections, they will leak conditioned air — some homeowners are losing 30 percent of their cooled or warmed air through leaky ducts before it ever reaches their living areas. Duct mastic from your hardware store can be spread over cracks and gaps. (A professional HVAC contractor can fix ducts concealed in walls and flooring.)
  • Apply weather stripping. Apply this insulative material around the perimeter of doors and windows to keep out cool air in the winter. Plastic insulation over your windows can be used to the same effect.
  • Close off unused space. If you have a room that’s typically unused, such as a guest bedroom, close it off. There’s no need to heat an empty space.
  • Upgrade your window treatments. Looking for a new look anyway? Choose window coverings that help your home retain heat in the winter (and reflect it in the summer).

For help identifying your unique home’s sources of energy waste — and potential solutions — contact Home Comfort Experts. We proudly serve residents of Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.