For many of you, the switch from winter to spring and then summer has begun,
(Here is Houston we skip spring and go directly to summer).
Summer means running the air conditioning, and that can mean a larger utility bill. A couple of ways to combat those high bills and improve air quality in the house are;
1. Changing the furnace filters. A dirty filter can mean restricted air flow making the compressor work longer and harder. When changing the filters, be sure to change the filters in the cold air return and at the A/C near the furnace. The return air filters are usually found in the walls or in the ceiling of the house. Pull the filters and check what size they are. The common sizes are 20x25x1 and 20x16x1, The filters at the furnace may be 20x16x4 inches. Don't skimp, spend the extra money and buy a good brand, Honeywell or 3M.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filters should be changed 4 times a year.
2. The second way is to add insulation to the attic. I recommend Owens Corning insulation. If, your insulation is to the top of the ceiling joist in the attic, the recommended additional thickness is four to six inches.
When having it done ask the contractor to put paper thickness rulers on the supporting uprights, to insure you get what you pay for. Those rulers will tell you exactly how many inches were added.
Have the contractor block the soffit vents to the attic to prevent insulation from blocking them and restricting air flow to the attic.
Every job done by a professional should end with a thorough clean up
(Here is Houston we skip spring and go directly to summer).
Summer means running the air conditioning, and that can mean a larger utility bill. A couple of ways to combat those high bills and improve air quality in the house are;
1. Changing the furnace filters. A dirty filter can mean restricted air flow making the compressor work longer and harder. When changing the filters, be sure to change the filters in the cold air return and at the A/C near the furnace. The return air filters are usually found in the walls or in the ceiling of the house. Pull the filters and check what size they are. The common sizes are 20x25x1 and 20x16x1, The filters at the furnace may be 20x16x4 inches. Don't skimp, spend the extra money and buy a good brand, Honeywell or 3M.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filters should be changed 4 times a year.
2. The second way is to add insulation to the attic. I recommend Owens Corning insulation. If, your insulation is to the top of the ceiling joist in the attic, the recommended additional thickness is four to six inches.
When having it done ask the contractor to put paper thickness rulers on the supporting uprights, to insure you get what you pay for. Those rulers will tell you exactly how many inches were added.
Have the contractor block the soffit vents to the attic to prevent insulation from blocking them and restricting air flow to the attic.
Every job done by a professional should end with a thorough clean up
RSS Feed
