Sometimes, parts of our home are not performing at their best and end up using more energy. Not only does this hurt the environment, but it also costs us more when it comes to paying the bills. The problem is when these issues are so minute and unnoticeable that they keep on going, wasting our home’s energy consumption right under our noses. Here are some of the most common occurrences that might be happening in your home.
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Faulty windows installations
Sometimes a poorly installed window or using a window that isn’t the best type for your home’s layout can increase your utility bills. Apart from that, you could have leaks you may not even know about. That is especially easy to miss if the window is located in a part of your home that you’re not always in and if you don’t interact with that window much.
According to the Department of Energy, loss and gain of heat through windows accounts for up to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. This rate can go even higher if you have a faulty installation or are in need of repair. Whether you are only starting to build a home or you live in one but want to overhaul your fixtures, it could be wise to get a window installation contractor to put in modern models that are more durable and energy-efficient.
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Malfunctioning heaters
Heaters can malfunction in inconspicuous ways, heating the home in an unbalanced way or being a few degrees off because of a busted thermostat. They could also deteriorate over time, then overcompensate to provide the same temperature required. But because these issues aren’t always glaringly in your face, they often only show themselves either when the problem becomes severe or by creating a marked increase in your utility bills.
Be mindful by checking your bills in heating and see if it matches the usage you have because it could spell issues for your heater. This issue can eat up a lot in terms of energy consumption and an increase in your bills. After all, it’s been noted that heating and water heating are among the most energy-demanding factors in the home.
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Faulty air conditioners
Cooling also takes a lot of energy, and there are so many issues that can crop up if you don’t properly maintain your aircon. From a dirty air filter to a refrigerant leak and even leaky ducts, that can cause your air conditioner’s parts to go on the extra throttle and have poor airflow that it attempts to overcompensate for.
These issues are sometimes so unnoticeable that they go on for far too long before anything is done about them. By then, the damage has progressed. It’s best to keep things well-maintained and conduct regular checks for them. A good way to know if there is any issue is by spotting signs of wear, checking for drafts in your home, and monitoring your utility bills compared to your actual energy usage so that you can tell if there’s a discrepancy.
