Old Man Winter in right around the corner and you know what that means: increased energy usage and higher heating bills. Best to winterize your building now, in the Fall, before it gets too cold-and before the craziness of the holiday season hits. Below are some steps you can take in the Fall to improve the comfort and safety or your commercial or residential building during the long winter months.
• Have your furnace inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician before cold winter months set in. This will ensure your system is running at optimum levels all winter long.
• If your building uses a boiler, check steam traps for leaks; monitor the flue gas and adjust excess air; repair or replace damaged or missing insulation; check for and clean scale buildup off boiler tubes; and make sure carbon dioxide levels are within acceptable limits of 200 ppm.
• Inspect your ductwork for leaks and seal with mastic tape. Better yet, spray the ductwork runs with spray foam to keep thermal energy from escaping as heat travels through the line. Contact an insulator contractor for help with this.
• If you haven't yet this year, change the batteries on all smoke alarms and CO2 meters. Having these devices in tip-top shape is particularly important in winter when windows are closed and furnaces/boilers are running for long hours.
• Fill gaps and cracks around doors and windows with weatherstripping or spray foam to prevent heat loss. You'd be surprised how much air travels through even the smallest of holes! Weatherstripping and spray foam cans are inexpensive and can be bought at just about any home-improvement store.
• Consider installing a programmable thermostat to regulate your building temperature. Doing so could lower your heating bill by automating the process instead of leaving the responsibility up to busy and forgetful humans. Larger facilities should consider an integrated energy-management system.
• Do a quick check of the insulation in your attic, crawl spaces, walls and ceilings to see if the proper type and amount of insulation is in place. If you don't know where to start, contact an insulation contractor for a thorough exam, and for advice on how best to insulate your building.
Don't let the cold winter season sneak up on you. Perform the above steps to minimize energy costs while maintaining safe and comfortable living and working conditions. What others winterizing tips and tricks can you think of?
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