Your residence is probably one of your most valued investments. It assists you financially through boosting equity, and it’s a place to watch your family grow and make memories, too. When it’s cold, you may also be dealing with growing heating bills.
As a consequence, finding approaches to lower your heating bill in the Wasatch Front region without compromising comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
When it comes to energy efficiency, homes resemble vehicles. Some consume a lot of energy while others use it gradually. Regardless of what kind of house you own, there are methods to end the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to help your family stay comfy without breaking the bank.
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Replace Your Your Air Filter
It’s the most economical solution that exists. It’s also the best method to keep your furnace running smoothly throughout the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal determinants affect how regularly you should put in a new one. High allergen counts, pets and home size can also affect its durability. Typically, cheap filters should be replaced every month. Pleated styles made with denser material might work for 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 move through it and actually heat the house. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder.”
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Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s common to have a tech stop by your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is prepped for the heat.
But don’t forget to schedule an appointment for furnace service before the winter too.
Among other actions, an inspection usually covers:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal components
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup controls
A tune-up helps lower the chance of handling an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with normal tune-ups.
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Examine Windows and Doors for Cracks
Windows and doors are a primary entry point for frigid air. Caulking window and door frames is an economical method to help keep chilly air out.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes suggests.
Close a door. Is any light visible? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not fully sealed. Changes or weather-stripping may be required.
If your home has single-pane windows, you should consider a dual-pane improvement.
Some homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.
It’s not a bad idea, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping chilled air outside.
When you add double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
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Limit Use of Vented Appliances
If you need the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it going for an extended period of time.
The same holds true for the dryer. Don’t allow it to operate after your clothes are done.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out hot air out and increases cold air. Using these appliances all the time will force your furnace to use more energy to battle the avoidable chill.
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Inspect Your Home’s Perimeter for Holes
Check your residence’s perimeter. This is the area that shields your residence from the outdoors. If your home has a basement, be on the lookout for moving cobwebs or chilly air trickling in around the edges.
Polyurethane sealers and other options can be used to mend basement walls allowing air into your house. Another economical move is to invest foam seals for fixture undersides, for example ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re quick to put in and are fantastic at stopping cold air in the winter.
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Evaluate Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth confirming that you have thick enough insulation levels in your residence as well. Nine in 10 U.S. residences are underinsulated, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.
Hughes suggests visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the suitable R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This suggestion is formulated on the geographic spot where your home is.
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Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter might be tough for homeowners with inefficient systems.
If your furnace is malfunctioning or in need of extensive repair, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not able to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you bypass expensive repairs through a small monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-efficient system in your residence. Plus our professional techs will overhaul and service it for you without any extra out-of-pocket cost
Schedule an Appointment with Us Now
Make your the Wasatch Front region home more energy efficient with Expert help from Barlow Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 801-436-8985 or contact us online today.