For most Americans, cold temperatures last more than half of the year and bring with them a lengthy list of preparations, bills and ongoing chores that make wintering almost a way of life. Here are a few tips to help combat the effects of our cold climate, and hopefully avoid sky high heating costs this winter.
Tips to Keep Your Home Warm:
Tip #1 Service your Heating System
The first tip for staying warm during a cold winter is to make sure your existing heating system is functioning at its peak efficiency. Most HVAC failures occur during the coldest months of the year and can be avoided by ensuring the system is working properly just as it starts to get cold enough outside.
A total system failure during the coldest months can result in other problems for homeowners, including plumbing system ruptures from frozen water in the pipes. To make things worse, when the furnace stops working many homeowners resort to secondary sources of heat while they wait for repairs, some of which can be very expensive, or even serious health hazards.
Heating system evaluations will uncover problems before they become catastrophic. Many reputable technicians, thinking of their own families’ comfort and safety, will recommend the right products and services for your home and will often mention things you can change within your home for free and new habits you can form that will reduce the stress on your heating system and your budget.
Tip #2 Professional Home Energy Audit
The U.S. Department of Energy is a great resource for learning about how a home energy audit, can save you as much as 30% on your energy bills. Usually a free (or, at least, heavily subsidized) service from your utility provider, these assessments are proven to zero in on hidden problems that often have simple remedies. You can look forward to finally finding and fixing the source of drafts that make some rooms in your house uncomfortable, and to enjoying the full efficiency and longevity of your existing heating system, as it was designed to perform.
Your home energy auditor will use thermal imaging to find cold spots in walls, ceilings and floors. They might also use a blower door test that measures the total potential for heat loss through all of the small openings in your home. Many of these openings can be easily addressed with improvements to things like caulking and insulation.
Tip #3 Install Programmable Thermostat
You can save a great deal of money on rising monthly energy bills by installing a programmable thermostat. These smart devices allow you to set the ideal temperature in your home for anytime of the day. You can enjoy the ideal level of comfort when you’re at home during the day, and your thermostat will automatically adjusting the temperatures when you’re away or asleep.
Tip #4 Windows
Plugging air leaks around windows and doors is an absolute must to keeping your home warm this winter. Caulk both outside and inside the window casing and replace the weather stopping in the sash. Use cellular blinds to keep the heat in and the cold out. Their unique honeycomb design uses air pockets to trap warm air in. Also, consider switching out your curtains for heavier draperies like heavy linen or velvet. This will give your home a warm, cozy look for winter as well as blocking drafty air and insulating your windows.
ADA Heating & Air offers quality heating and air service including HVAC repair and heater repair in Danville, Nicholasville, Versailles, Lexington, Harrodsburg, Stanford, Winchester, Lancaster, and the surrounding areas.
