Winter is coming and your home isn’t ready for the cold weather. You’ll notice your heating bills rapidly increasing as the winter months pass by and wonder what you could have done to prevent the rising costs.
If you’re not prepared for winter, the cost of heating a house can severely impact your budget and lifestyle. But, there are some things you can do to be better prepared for the cold.
Here’s a quick reference to guide you through those steps you can take to combat the cost of heating a house.
Clean and Change Air Filters
Always make sure your air filters are clean from debris and dust to ensure smooth, uninterrupted airflow.
You should change your air filters once per month or as directed by the instructions on the furnace or the filter manufacturer. Some filters are built to last three months but these are only for relatively dust free, pet free homes.
Clean air filters contribute to your home’s energy efficiency.
Clean Return Air Vents
Return air vents can be found on the ceiling, walls or floors of your home and help to distribute air evenly throughout your home.
Make sure these vents are clean and unobstructed from items like clothes, pet beds or other furniture, blinds, carpet, or anything that will block the airflow.
When return air vents are properly cared for, your heater is able to work efficiently without fail.
Seal Windows and Doors
Make sure your windows and doors have proper weather sealing to prevent cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping.
Your heating system will work harder and longer to compensate for air loss. This not only overworks your heating system but can also cost hundreds of dollars in heating bills.
Window Treatments Lower the Cost of Heating a House
Curtains aren’t just for decoration and privacy. Effective window coverings can help to insulate the cold air coming off of your windows and leaking into your home.
You can also use window treatments to your advantage on sunny days. Open curtains and window coverings on the south side of your home during the day to allow as much sunlight (and warmth) as possible in. Close them at night, when the sun goes down, to keep that warm air inside.
Adjust the Temperature
It may seem like a silly point, but simply adjusting the temperature on your thermostat can have a significant impact on the cost of heating a home.
Keep the temperature set higher when you’re not home and adjust it accordingly for times during the day that you spend the most time at home.
The US Department of Energy says you can save up to 15% in heating bills each year simply by adjusting your home’s temperature by 10-15 degrees for eight hours per day.
Service Heating Units
It’s imperative to have preventative maintenance performed on your HVAC system semi-annually to ensure it operates efficiently.
HVAC contractors can also ensure that all the working parts and components of your system are in good working order and perform a ‘tune-up’ to keep everything running smoothly.
When you’re ready to winterize your home to save on heating costs, contact us!
