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AEnergy efficiency upgrades not only help you save energy, but can make your home more comfortable. If you find yourself returning to the thermostat in the winter or unable to cool off on summer days, your home needs an efficiency upgrade. Here are some areas to focus on. 

Air sealing, a lesser-known efficiency upgrade, keeps air from entering and exiting the home through cracks and gaps. Some air sealing can be done from inside the home, such as using expanding foam around plumbing pipes and drains under sinks, caulking around windows or weatherstripping around doors.

Duct sealing can also improve comfort in your home. Ductwork delivers air in a forced-air HVAC system. If there are disconnections or leaks in the ducts, your air may not end up where you want it. Disconnects and leaks can cause hot or cold spots in the home. HVAC professionals can inspect or test your ducts to make sure they are connected and sealed properly.

Air and duct sealing can also improve the air quality at home. Air leakage between the conditioned areas in homes and attics or crawl spaces can introduce dust, pollen, mold or other allergens into your home. Reducing air leakage can decrease the chance of allergens in your home.

Upgrading to a heat pump can boost comfort and efficiency. Heat pumps are often about three times as efficient as electric resistance heat. They use refrigerant to move heat instead of creating it. If you’re upgrading from electric or gas heat, a heat pump can efficiently heat and cool your home.

If you have a heat pump or any forced-air HVAC system, annual maintenance and regularly changing your filter maximizes system operation and comfort.