Your house is usually one of your most precious investments. It helps you financially through boosting equity, and it’s a space to watch your family grow and make memories, too. During the winter, you could also face rising heating expenses.
Consequently, finding ways to lower your heating bill in Longmont without lowering comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
As far as energy efficiency, houses are similar to vehicles. Some require a lot of energy while others sip it slowly. Regardless of what type of home you live in, there are ways to end the discomfort this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to help you stay comfortable without breaking the bank.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most inexpensive solution there is. It’s also the best method to keep your furnace operating optimally throughout the winter.
The model of filter and seasonal determinants contribute to how often you should put in a new one. Increased allergen counts, pets and house size may also affect its durability. In most cases, inexpensive filters should be replaced monthly. Pleated ones made with denser material could last three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing folks ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more loaded up the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually warm the house. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder.”
2. Schedule Annual HVAC Service
It’s standard to have an Expert come to your residence in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is ready for the warm weather.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it gets cold too.
Among other steps, an inspection commonly includes:
- Examining thermostat settings
- Cleaning and lubricating internal pieces
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup procedures
Maintenance helps lessen the likelihood of handling an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with normal tune-ups.
3. Check Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a central entry point for chilly air. Sealing window and door frames is an practical approach to help keep frigid air outside.
Here’s one check that Hughes suggests.
Shut a door. Can you see any light? If so, it’s not entirely sealed. Adjustments or weather-stripping could be needed.
If your residence has single-pane windows, you may want to think over a dual-pane improvement.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping chilled air out.
When you switch to double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or higher.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you use the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes advises against leaving it running for a long time.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t let it to work after your clothes are dry.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out heated air out and pulls in cold air. Running these appliances all the time will make your furnace to work harder to handle the preventable coldness.
5. Check Your House’s Outer Edges for Leaks
Check your residence’s building envelope. This is the barrier that protects your house from the outside. If your home has a basement, check for moving cobwebs or chilly air flowing in close by the sides.
Polyurethane sealant and other options can be used to plug basement walls letting air into your residence. Another cost-effective idea is to invest foam seals for fixture bottoms, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re simple to use and are great at blocking cold air in the winter.
6. Measure Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes advises visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to determine the recommended R-value for your residence’s walls and attic space. This value is formulated on the geographic spot where you live.
7. Think About Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be rough for homeowners with old equipment.
If your furnace is not working right or requiring extensive service, there’s a good chance you’re not prepared to spend thousands on a new 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 a high-efficiency system in your house. Plus our Expert technicians will overhaul and service it for you without any additional out-of-pocket cost
Request an Appointment with Us Now
Make your Longmont residence more energy efficient with pro support from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to schedule an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 303-647-5749 or contact us online today.