Looking For Lower Energy Bills This Winter?
Like most homeowners, you’re probably looking for lower energy bills to keep your home warm and comfortable throughout these winter months. Here are a few ways to ensure your home stays toasty while maintaining your energy-efficiency and reducing your monthly heating bills
Turn your thermostat down
Ideally your thermostat should be set to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home and around 60 when you’re away. Installing a programmable thermostat is a great investment that’ll ensure your home temperatures are where they should be at all times of the day. Avoid completely turning your thermostat off, otherwise you might risk freezing your pipes and returning home to a flood.
Upgrade your doors and windows
Storm windows can help reduce heat transfer by up to 50%. This can lead to up to lower energy bills that will end up in an average of about $200 of savings each year, just by making a small investment in better, more energy efficient windows and doors for your home.
Seal leaks
If replacing your doors and windows is too much of a costly investment, a more affordable solution is to seal up your fixtures. Inspect your home and check your doors and windows for leaks. Use caulk, door sweeps, insulation film, and weatherstripping to seal any leaks you find.
Reverse your ceiling fan direction
Most homeowners are surprised to learn that their ceiling fans can help to reduce heating costs, just by flipping a switch. There should be a small switch at the base of your ceiling fan that works to reverse the direction of the blades. Switching it will create an updraft, forcing the warm air in your home down from the ceiling (where it naturally rises to) back to the living areas below.
Schedule your annual HVAC tune-up
Your HVAC system should be regularly inspected and maintained by a professional HVAC technician each year to ensure it’s clean and efficient. Furnace maintenance not only leads to lower energy bills each winter, it’s also an important safety precaution to take into account. Your furnace should be inspected each year to ensure it’s properly ventilated and not clogged up, to protect you and your family from carbon monoxide exposure.
Check your air filter
In the winter, when you’re apt to use your HVAC system the most, you should be cleaning and replacing your air filter every 30-60 days to lower energy bills and improve your indoor comfort. Consistently replacing your air filter will also increase your indoor air quality and reduce the need for repairs to your HVAC system, as well extend the lifespan of your HVAC equipment.
To schedule an HVAC tune-up or if you have any questions about how to lower energy bills this winter, talk to a professional HVAC technician from A-Abel.
