When it cools off in Greater Richmond, the last thing you want to have to think about is keeping a comfortable home. In an ideal world, it would be mindless and you'd be lounging around on the couch taking in the coziness of your home and not thinking twice about what's happening outside. Of course it may not be that straightforward, and there are a couple things that could be taking place in your home that could end up with you setting up air conditioner repair or trying to decipher why your bill is so high.
There are a number of causes for an increase in your energy expenses, but these are three of the more common ones we typically hear about at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
- Air is going out through the glass of your windows - when air contacts the glass on your windows, that air loses some of its heat. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your comfy home, be sure you're closing your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows that get light during the day.
- Insufficient attic insulation - if your home is older, there's a chance that it has an insufficient amount of insulation. Of course this means you might be losing cool air through your attic, which then makes your air conditioner work harder, and could eventually lead to the need for air conditioner repair. You can easily look to see if you have enough insulation by looking in your attic to see if the insulation is below or even with the joists. If it is, you likely need more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors - sometimes these gaps are more apparent and visible to the naked eye or substantial enough to feel drafts coming in, but sometimes that may not be the case. Take a closer look at all of your windows and doors to figure out whether you need to add weather stripping to take care of those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps could make your air conditioner run more, potentially boosting the chance that you'll need air conditioner repair.
We hope these couple tips can help you uncover any problem-spaces in your home that could be hurting the comfort of your home. If you have any questions about air conditioners, air conditioner repair, or any number of other things related to heating or cooling your home, give us a ring at 804-302-6657 or schedule an appointment with us online.