Your house is usually one of your most treasured investments. It assists you financially through boosting equity, and it’s an area to raise your family and develop moments you’ll remember, too. During the winter, you could also face growing gas expenses.
As a consequence, finding methods to lower your heating bill in Sharonville without lowering comfort can appear challenging.
When it comes to energy efficiency, houses are like motor vehicles. Some guzzle energy while others use it steadily. Regardless of what kind of home you have, there are steps to halt the chill this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to keep your family comfortable without breaking the bank.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective suggestion out there. It’s also the best method to keep your furnace functioning smoothly during the winter.
The model of filter and seasonal elements contribute to how regularly you should get a new one. Soaring allergen counts, pets and home size can also influence its durability. Generally, inexpensive filters should be changed each month. Pleated ones made with better material might last three months or longer.
“It’s really the large thing homeowners 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 add warmth to the house. A dirty filter makes your HVAC system work harder.”
2. Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a technician visit your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is prepped for the summer.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before the winter too.
Among other actions, an inspection commonly includes:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and greasing internal pieces
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup procedures
Maintenance helps lower the probability of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been avoided with regular maintenance.
3. Examine Windows and Doors for Leaks
Windows and doors are a central entry point for chilly air. Sealing window and door frames is an economical approach to help keep cold air outside.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes advises.
Close a door. Is any light visible? If so, it’s not fully sealed. Changes or weather-stripping may be necessary.
If your house has single-pane windows, you may want to think about a dual-pane upgrade.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping chilled air outside.
When you switch to double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you need the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes advises against leaving it on for an extended period of time.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t permit it to run after your clothes are dry.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan pulls out hot air out and pulls in cold air. Running these appliances longer than needed will make your furnace to work harder to handle the unnecessary cold.
5. Inspect Your House’s Edges for Leaks
Evaluate your residence’s building envelope. This is the barrier that protects your residence from the outdoors. If there’s a basement, watch for moving cobwebs or chilly air trickling in around the sides.
Polyurethane sealant and other things can be bought to mend basement walls allowing air into your house. Another affordable tip is to get foam seals for fixture bases, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re fast to install and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have appropriate insulation levels
Hughes suggests checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to find the recommended R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This recommendation is based on the geographic area where you’re located.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be tough for homeowners with inefficient equipment.
If your furnace is malfunctioning or in need of extensive fixes, there’s a fair chance you’re not set to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we offer our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you bypass pricey service calls through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also install an energy-efficient system in your house. Plus our professional specialists will repair and maintain it for you without any added out-of-pocket expense
Request an Appointment with Us Right Away
Make your Sharonville residence more energy efficient with pro help from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to schedule an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 859-905-0834 or contact us online now.