Winterize Your Home for the Winter
Winter is coming. (Cue Game of Thrones theme.) While you shouldn’t have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still crucial to make sure your home is ready for the cold. Here are a few tips from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to get you started.
Clear Space Near Air Returns
You shouldn’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Make sure your air returns (the bigger vents) are not restricted and that air can flow smoothly through them. Your cold air returns are needed to help your furnace run efficiently.
Update Your Windows
Windows are a common way that heat can seep out your home, so consider replacing old or inefficient windows to help retain heat inside during the cooler months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With cold and flu season quickly approaching, you want to verify you’re doing anything you can to keep your family healthy. For the sake of your indoor air, swap out your furnace or duct air filter every quarter. This will also help your equipment run more efficiently and save you energy, which means decreasing your heating bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your system is older than ten years, it’s most likely not nearly as energy-efficient as upgraded furnaces. Before the cold hits and you’re stuck with a failing furnace or high energy bills, consider investing in an upgraded system.
Buy a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not seem logical, but higher humidity, especially in northern climates, can make your home’s air feel warmer than it is. Joined with the other benefits of decreasing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier might be the ultimate addition to your HVAC system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We say it all the time – a programmable thermostat lowers your energy usage and bills no matter what temperature it is. A programmable thermostat will enable you to turn down your home temperature while you are away to help decrease heating costs, and increase the temperature before you even arrive home to provide the perfect amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the ideal amount of attic insulation helps trap heat in your home during the winter, decreasing your energy usage because your furnace doesn’t have to run as much, and therefore saves you money by lowering your heating costs. Ask your local utility companies about rebates on installing or upgrading your home’s insulation.
Cover Plumbing
Insulating your hot water pipes can actually help raise the temperature a few degrees. Hotter water on a cooler setting? That saves you energy and money – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Verify your furnace is ready to keep your family warm and cozy all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Service Experts. Right now we are giving discounts on our seasonal tune ups to help make sure your family stays warm and safe through the winter. Call 303-647-5749 today to schedule your seasonal tune-up or set up a no-charge in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating system.
