Living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, energy efficiency is a priority.
My house is outfitted with a forced air furnace and air conditioner that rely on ductwork to transport conditioned air.
Between the hot and muggy summers and chilly, windy winters, either the cooling or heating system operates just about non stop. The cost of keeping a comfortable home adds up to a significant portion of the household budget. I am always searching for new and more effective ways to tighten up the thermal envelope. I have invested into Energy Star rated windows and exterior doors, diligently caulked every crack and crevice and weatherstripped. I spent a very unpleasant weekend installing new insulation into the attic. I’ve added ceiling fans to help distribute heat more evenly in the winter and contribute to cooling in the summer. Upgrading to a smart thermostat made a considerable improvement to comfort and convenience. The thermostat learned my family’s schedule and now adjusts accordingly. It makes sure we enjoy ideal comfort while also conserving energy whenever possible. I have also enrolled in a maintenance plan with a local Tuscaloosa HVAC contractor. They send a technician to the house in the fall to service the furnace and in the spring to tune-up the air conditioner. This regular process ensures that both systems operate at peak capacity, efficiency and reliability. It saves me money by avoiding needless repairs, keeping running costs low and extending equipment service life. During routine maintenance, the technician recently suggested testing the ductwork. He told me that the typical duct system allows up to 30% of conditioned air to escape. I ended up investing into a duct sealing process that has significantly improved comfort and air quality.