The cost of indoor temperature control is responsible for a significant portion of the budget! Because it’s necessary to keep the windows closed for the majority of the year and the household sealed narrow against energy waste, the living space can become overly polluted.
One of my number one aspects of living in Springfield, MO, is the four distinct seasons. While fall can be somewhat wet, chilly and windy, the changing colors of the leaves creates stunning scenery. I also cherish the fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, cucumber, and zucchini at that time of year, our local winters are especially long and quite cold, with hot and cold temperatures often dipping below frosty. We get approximately 18” of snow, which makes the landscape look wash and magical. I don’t mind bundling up to snowmobile, snowboard or cross-country ski. Spring tends to take a while to arrive, but the flowers are worth the wait. I’m always happy to catch sight of the first sprouts of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Summers tend to be especially boiling and muggy, bringing hot and cold temperatures in the high eighties or low nineties… The weather does create difficulties with indoor comfort and air quality. We deal with excessive humidity in the summer time and inadequate moisture in the winter. The heating and cooling systems alternate who is operating, with undoubtedly minimal split in-between. The cost of indoor temperature control is responsible for a significant portion of the budget! Because it’s necessary to keep the windows closed for the majority of the year and the household sealed narrow against energy waste, the living space can become overly polluted. I have invested into a heat reclaimy ventilator or HRV that brings in a constant supply of fresh air. It helps to get rid of humidity in the summer, reducing the workload of the air conditioning and cost of bi-weekly electric bills. In the winter, it uses the outgoing stale air to preheat the incoming air, lessening demands on the furnace and saving money on heating bills.