{"id":3640,"date":"2022-09-27T15:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T15:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=3640"},"modified":"2025-04-10T14:28:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T14:28:54","slug":"tips-for-reducing-heating-and-air-conditioning-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/estate-of-mind\/home-improvement-hacks\/reducing-cost","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Reducing Heating and Air-Conditioning Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”55px||6px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Estate of Mind” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”\/learning-centre\/estate-of-mind” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Home Improvement Hacks” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjM2MTMifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”12px||12px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”3.5rem” header_line_height=”4.5rem” header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”3rem” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”4.5rem” header_line_height_phone=”3.2rem” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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<\/at-text>Gobsmacked by your heating and air-conditioning bill? \u201cIf your bills are extremely high, you have air loss somewhere,\u201d says Mike Reynolds, Operations Director of EcoHome Network. But you can tackle that \u2014 and other bill boosters \u2014 without major investments or renovations. Read on for Reynolds\u2019 tips for reducing energy costs in your home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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By Laura Bickle<\/a> | 2 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe first step is to have a basic understanding of how a house works. Windows tend to be the most common source of drafts.\u201d<\/h2>\n

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Mike Reynolds<\/p>\n

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Photo: Finn Reynolds<\/span><\/p>\n

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Where should homeowners start in terms of reducing heating and air-conditioning costs?<\/h2>\n

The first step is to have a basic understanding of how a house works. Windows tend to be the most common source of drafts. On a cold day, feel around the edge of the window. If you feel a draft, you have an air leak. If you notice condensation on your windows, you either have too much humidity in your house, or a very cold window. Cold windows themselves can create a draft sensation: As heated air touches a cold window, it cools and drops creating air convection within the home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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When it comes to energy efficiency, windows play an important role in reducing the costs of heating and cooling a home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What can be done about inefficient windows?<\/h2>\n

It costs so much to replace windows that they have to be very bad for you to have any chance of recouping your investment through energy savings. Oftentimes, as long as they’re double-pane windows, you are better off with a window repair, sealing them with caulking, or putting plastic over them in the wintertime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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What other sources of drafts can affect efficiency?<\/h2>\n

Doors that are installed improperly, weather seals that are broken, openings around plumbing and ventilation (stove hoods, bathroom fans, electrical outlets) \u2014 anywhere where there’s penetration through the air barrier is a possible source of an air leak. Caulking and weather-sealing tape can help in many of these cases.<\/p>\n

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Doors that are not properly installed or sealed can cause air leaks, which can drive up heating and cooling costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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