Vampires? In the home? Sure, maybe you don’t actually need to hang garlic at your door this Halloween season, but there could be a different kind of vampire lurking in your midst.
We’re talking about energy vampires. These vampires suck the energy right out of your home, give your home the “chills,” and add scary numbers to your energy bills. So where are these vampires hiding in your house in Upstate New York?
Old Heating Equipment
Whether you use natural gas or oil to heat your home, old HVAC equipment has a tendency to waste energy as it struggles to provide heat. This forces your heating costs to skyrocket and leaves you and your family feeling less-than-comfortable.
The solution: If your boiler or furnace is over 15 years old, now is a good time to consider heating replacement with a new, energy efficient heating unit. You might also consider a gas fireplace as a supplement to your existing heating system, allowing you to rely less on your whole-home heating system when enjoying your fireplace.
If your heating equipment is less than 15 years old, scheduling annual maintenance and changing the air filters can get it running more efficiently.
Insulation Gaps
Has the insulation in your house settled—or, worse, are there areas in your house where insulation is missing? These insulation gaps can do more damage than you think. In addition to letting valuable indoor heat escape, gaps in insulation force your heating system to work harder and drive up your energy bills even further.
The solution: Schedule an insulation upgrade for your home! This is one of the most affordable ways to improve overall home energy efficiency. An insulation specialist like Fred F. Collis & Sons can use diagnostic testing to determine where your house needs insulation and install the right types of insulation in key areas.
Plugged-In Electronics
How many electronics do you have plugged in, sitting in standby mode? Chances are it’s more than you think, including your computer, printer, TV, phone charger, coffee maker, and stand mixer. Experts estimate that standby power consumption accounts for 5% to 10% of energy consumption in the average home. That’s valuable energy and money you could be saving.
The solution: Unplug these electronics when they are not in use, or connect them to power strips that you can more easily turn off. You might even consider investing in smart power strips, which cut off power to devices that go into standby mode.
Save Energy with Fred F. Collis & Sons
As home performance experts serving Upstate NY, we take pride in helping homeowners save energy and feel more comfortable inside your homes. If you’re tired of seeing your utility bills skyrocket at this time of the year, schedule an energy assessment to find out what we can do for your home!
High energy bills “suck” — don’t let energy vampires drive up your utility costs! Call 315-897-5348 or contact us to schedule a home energy assessment.
