Your residence is usually at the top of the list of your most prized investments. It helps you financially through improving equity, and it’s a place to raise your family and create moments you’ll remember, too. When it’s cold, you could also be experiencing higher gas bills.
Consequently, finding tactics to lower your heating bill in the U.S. without giving up comfort can seem difficult.
When it comes to energy efficiency, residences are similar to cars. Some require a lot of energy while others sip it steadily. Regardless of what sort of home you own, there are steps to halt the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven tips to help you stay warm without breaking the bank.
It’s the most economical suggestion there is. It’s also the best approach to keep your heating system functioning smoothly through the winter.
The type of filter and seasonal factors contribute to how often you should put in a new one. Soaring allergen counts, pets and house size may also influence its life span. Generally, fiberglass filters should be changed monthly. Pleated styles made with denser material could make it three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing people forget about,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more overloaded the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually add warmth to the house. A clogged filter makes your heating system work harder.”
It’s standard to have a technician come to your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is prepped for the warm weather.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other procedures, an inspection usually covers:
A tune-up helps decrease the probability of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a blizzard. Some reports have shown as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with standard maintenance.
Windows and doors are a leading entry point for cold air. Caulking window and door frames is an economical approach to help keep chilly air out.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes advises.
Shut a door. Is any light visible? If that’s the case, it’s not fully sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping might be necessary.
If your house has single-pane windows, you should consider a dual-pane upgrade.
Many homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping cold air outside.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or higher.
If you require the exhaust fan while cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it on for too long.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t permit it to work after your clothes are dry.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels hot air away from your home and increases cold air. Running these appliances continuously will require your HVAC system to work harder to handle the avoidable cold.
Inspect your residence’s perimeter. This is the barrier that separates your home from the elements. If you have a basement, be on the lookout for fluttering cobwebs or cool air leaking in near the edges.
Polyurethane sealant and other things can be purchased to plug basement walls leaking air into your home. Another inexpensive tip is to get foam seals for fixture bottoms, for example ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re easy to use and are fantastic at keeping the cold air out in the winter.
It’s worth ensuring that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes suggests checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the suitable R-value for your residence’s walls and attic space. This suggestion is based on the geographic spot where you live.
Winter might be rough for homeowners with underperforming systems.
If your furnace is not working right or in need of expensive fixes, there’s a decent chance you’re not ready to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we provide our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you avoid expensive fixes through a modest monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-saving system in your residence. Plus our professional techs will fix and maintain it for you without any additional out-of-pocket expense
Make your the U.S. home more energy efficient with pro support from Service Experts.
For more information about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 866-397-3787 or contact us online now.
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for a long time. Today’s total student debt has reached some $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re thinking about your higher education journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to... Continue reading
If you’d like to replace your old furnace, don’t assume that a new furnace is the only option. This may be the go-to choice for most North American homes, but heat pumps are steadily growing in popularity. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the right fit for everyone? Explore several... Continue reading
If you’re thinking about upgrading your furnace, an early choice in the process is to decide on an efficiency rating. This will impact your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating in the coming years. With this handy guide, you’ll understand more about AFUE ratings and how they... Continue reading
There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
