The foundation isn't one of the considerations that come to most homeowners' minds when thinking of the steps to take to insulate their houses against outside cold temperatures. But did you know that your home's foundation plays a significant role in the maintenance of ideal indoor temperatures? Here's a look at how a damaged foundation can affect HVAC efficiency and your ability to keep your house comfortably warm.
Improper Air Sealing
Does your foundation have many cracks that are bigger than a quarter-inch wide? Such cracks can create air leaks and temperature changes. As a result, your home may feel less comfortable. Your heating bills will also increase gradually.
Sloping Floors
A cracking or crumbling foundation can result in sloping floors. A sloping floor allows gaps to form between the floor and door jambs. This allows heated air from your home to seep through. It will also let in cold outdoor air.
Over time, sloping floors can also result in cracks around doors and windows, allowing more indoor air to escape. Your heating system won't perform optimally. Severe foundation damage can even cause separation of ducts, which throws your HVAC system completely off balance.
If you notice symptoms of foundation problems, such as sloping floors and cracks in your walls, coupled with steadily rising utility bills, you'll want to have your foundation professionally inspected.
Lack of Foundation Insulation
An uninsulated foundation allows for rapid heat loss, which reduces HVAC efficiency. Your home will retain much more heat if the foundation walls, as well as the foundation itself, are insulated.
Modern homes usually have their foundations insulated with materials such as concrete blocks and forms. Older houses often have damaged or no insulation. To fix your heating system's performance issues, you can have your older home retrofitted through the addition of insulation to the interior or exterior basement walls, crawl space, and around the foundation's perimeter underground.
Your home's foundation can cause poor HVAC efficiency, so inspect it to ensure it's in healthy condition. For more ways to improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort, contact Air Assurance. We help homeowners in the Broken Arrow area save energy by providing effective solutions such as duct sealing, air-infiltration sealing, the addition of insulation, and planned maintenance services.