Your home is usually at the top of the list of your most precious investments. It supports you financially through improving equity, and it’s an area to enjoy with your family and make memorable moments, too. When it’s cold, you might also be dealing with rising gas bills.
Consequently, finding ways to lower your heating bill in Charleston without lowering comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
In regard to energy efficiency, homes are similar to vehicles. Some require a lot of energy while others sip it gradually. Regardless of what kind of home you have, there are methods to stop the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven tips to keep your family comfortable without driving up your energy bill.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective solution there is. It’s also the best approach to keep your heater operating properly throughout the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal elements affect how regularly you should get a new one. High allergen counts, pets and house size can also impact its durability. In most cases, cheap filters should be swapped monthly. Pleated models made with thicker material might make it three months or longer.
“It’s really the major thing people ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more overloaded the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually heat the residence. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Annual HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a technician come to your residence 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 typically includes:
- Examining thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal components
- Inspecting system shutdown and startup processes
A tune-up helps decrease the possibility of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have shown as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with routine tune-ups.
3. Check Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a main entry point for chilly air. Insulating window and door frames is an economical method to help keep frigid air out.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes suggests.
Shut a door. Do you notice any light? If that’s the case, it’s not fully sealed. Changes or weather-stripping might be required.
If your residence has single-pane windows, you should think about a dual-pane improvement.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad option, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping cold air out.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes suggests against leaving it going for a long time.
The same holds true for the dryer. Don’t permit it to run after your clothes are dry.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan pulls out heated air away from your home and pulls in cold air. Using these appliances all the time will make your furnace to use more energy to manage the avoidable chill.
5. Look at Your Home’s Edges for Leaks
Examine your residence’s exterior. This is the boundary that protects your home from the outside. If you have a basement, look for moving cobwebs or chilly air flowing in near the edges.
Polyurethane sealers and other options can be purchased to fix basement walls leaking air into your home. Another cost-effective move is to get foam seals for fixture bottoms, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re quick to use and are great at keeping the cold air out in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth ensuring that you have adequate insulation levels
Hughes recommends visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to find the appropriate R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This recommendation is established on the geographic spot where your home is.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter may be rough for homeowners with underperforming units.
If your furnace is not working right or requiring extensive service, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not ready to spend thousands on an updated system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you avoid costly service calls through a modest monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-efficient system in your house. Plus our Expert techs will repair and maintain it for you without any additional out-of-pocket fee
Book an Appointment with Us Now
Make your Charleston house more energy efficient with professional assistance from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to request an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 843-410-6103 or contact us online now.