Our Metro-East winters can be unpredictable, but we all know that phases of ice, snow, wind and plunging temperatures are going to be in the mix during the coldest months. So it’s best to be prepared. One of the most important preparations is having an energy evaluation done in your home during the fall.
During winter months, HVAC service professionals are very busy, and poor road conditions sometimes take over the region for days or weeks at a time. Consequently, it can be difficult to get fast service. Many would-be serious problems can be easily and inexpensively discovered and remedied before winter by having a timely energy evaluation.
An energy evaluation identifies areas of heat loss in your home that can impact your family’s comfort during cold weather and result in excessive heating bills. Each room of your house will be examined. Thermographic scanning may be used to locate heat variances (to help find inadequate insulation and air leaks), and a “blower door test” may be used to determine airtightness and locate air leaks in your home’s outer envelope. The energy auditor will inspect your furnace, ductwork and insulation, and address any problems.
The auditor likely will measure window sizes and walls and identify areas of heat loss. And, aspects of your family’s routine will be considered – how many hours per day the house is occupied, how many rooms are in daily use, what temperatures the family prefers to maintain, among others. Previous electric and gas bills will be reviewed. The energy auditor will provide you with a detailed report that identifies issues, and provides recommendations on corrections that you can make to increase your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your energy bills. A fall furnace or heat pump tuneup can be combined with the energy audit, or scheduled separately.
Please contact us at Ernst Heating & Cooling to consult with one of our experts or to schedule an appointment to have an energy evaluation done in your home this season. Since 1951, we have proudly served our neighbors in southwest Illinois communities, including Alton, Bethalto, Glen Carbon, Edwardsville and Hamel.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Hamel, Alton, Glen Carbon, Highland, Greenville, and Troy, Illinois and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy evaluations and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.Â
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