Kentucky may be known as the “Bluegrass State,” but it is also noted for its dramatic variations between summer and winter climates, often having both extreme summers and frigid winters in the same year. This means that Kentucky residents must be equipped with both the best of air conditioners and the most robust of heating systems. However, there is more that one can do than blast the AC or stock up on firewood. With today’s emphasis on cheap and efficient energy solutions, there are a number of ways to prepare your home for the Kentucky climate mood swings, and save money too. To better guide you, Glen Carter - who owns the Richmond, KY based company CSC Heating and Air - shares some tips on improving ones energy habits.
“One of the first things I recommend to clients,” Carter says, “is to get a home energy audit done.” A Home energy audit will help identify areas in your home that contribute to energy leakage - meaning cracks and openings where air or heat can escape. This will help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter while also saving you money on your monthly energy bills. To do this, a company such as Carter’s will use something called the Blower Door test. This involves placing a large fan in a door and blowing air out, thereby reducing pressure inside. Once this is done, the company can go through and feel for areas where air is seeping in, and then work to seal those areas of leakage. For the reasonable cost of such a test, you could shrink your energy bill significantly.
Another small fix that could make a big difference is installing a programmable thermostat. This can help your house stay comfortable in both the summer and winter by keeping an accurate gauge on its temperature. Make sure to install it in a temperature-neutral area to reduce the chance of it skewing the temperature. In other words, install it away from a fireplace, air vent or outside door.
Additionally, if you have the money to spend, it can be a very fruitful decision to invest in a geothermal heating unit. These are extremely beneficial systems that go deep into the ground and circulate the earth’s temperature back up into the home. Because the earth is always steady at 58 degrees, it can be used to both heat your home during the winter and cool it during the summer. To make geothermal heating even more appealing, a tax break was implemented in 2010 that provides a 30% credit for any unit installed before 2016.
Finally, consider replacing your heating system if it happens to be showing its age. According to Carter, “if your home heating system is more than 15 years old, it’s worth replacing.” This is because newer models will almost always be more efficient, and the longer you wait, the more energy goes to waste, along with your money.