Before the cold winter weather hits, many homeowners gear up for large heating bills. Fortunately, these large bills don’t have to be the standard for your home. In fact, you can do many things to enhance your home’s heating efficiency during the winter season.
Get Professional Maintenance Service
One of the best places to start is by getting professional maintenance for your heating system. This will ensure that each component is operating as optimally as possible. When your heating system is at its peak, you can be confident that you’re not spending excessively on your heating bills.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are the ultimate partner for any great HVAC system. During the winter months, you’ll want to set the fans to spin clockwise. This will strategically recirculate warm air from the top of the room down to the floor. The more you can use the heat your heating system has produced, the less often it will need to run. Aim to have ceiling fans running in bedrooms, living spaces, home offices, dens, the kitchen, and other rooms in your home.
Seal Up Air Leaks
Air leaks are one of the biggest combatants of your heating system. When they allow cold air to seep in, your heating system must run overtime to warm your home back up. It’s highly advantageous to seal up air leaks around door and window frames on your exterior walls. Consider using caulking or weatherstripping for a nice, tight seal. Additionally, consider using foam insert pads behind the cover plates for all the outlets and light switches on your exterior walls.
Get a Home Energy Audit
Home energy audits are a great way to find out where your home is having problems with efficiency. You can learn where your home is likely losing its heat and make adjustments to curb those issues. Getting a home energy audit is an ideal first step to discovering any issues your home has and finding ways to correct them.
Change HVAC Filters Regularly
An important part of your heating system is its air filter. This filter is responsible for removing airborne particles from your air before it enters your heating system. It’s best to check your filter every month and replace it whenever necessary. Consider keeping an extra filter on hand so you can do replacements when necessary.
Get Your Air Ducts Serviced
Your air ducts are responsible for transporting hot air throughout all the rooms of your home. Unfortunately, over time, they can fill up with airborne debris, like pet dander and dust. This not only reduces your air quality level but also restricts airflow in your ducting. The more air duct restrictions, the harder your heating system has to work to force hot air into the rooms of your home.
Furthermore, leaks can develop over time in your ducting due to expansion and contraction. Your hot air can easily escape into these leaks and cause your heating system to run overtime to make up for the air loss. To remedy these problems, you may want to consider investing in duct cleaning and sealing services.
Check Your Insulation
Insulation is a necessary barrier between the inside and outside of your home. The higher the R-value of your insulation, the more resistant the insulation will be to temperature changes. Periodically check the state of your insulation to see if it needs to be replaced or added to. If there are any missing areas of attic insulation, be sure to fill them in. If your insulation doesn’t sit at or above the top of the floor joists, then be sure to add more insulation to your attic.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat can be a great addition to any home to enhance your energy efficiency throughout the entire year. These allow you to program in a set schedule so you can turn the temperature down at times that you won’t be at home. Furthermore, you can easily assess your thermostat right from the convenience of your smartphone. This will allow you to make changes on the fly to optimize your energy usage more effectively.
Let in Natural Sunlight
Direct sunlight can be a great source of natural heat for your home. Opt for letting direct sunlight in your doors and windows throughout the day. Most sunlight will pour in from the south and has been shown to increase indoor air temperature by up to 10 degrees.
Use a Humidifier
During the winter months, the air can get very dry. When this happens, it’s harder for the air to retain heat. Plus, dry air leads to an abundance of unfortunate conditions like sinus irritation and dry skin. A great way to combat these issues is with a humidifier. By introducing a safe amount of moisture into the air, you can allow it to retain heat for longer. Essentially, your rooms will feel warmer than they actually are, so you can end up running your heating system less often.
Be Strategic When Bundling Up
While no one wants to sit in their home wearing a large winter jacket, the concept of wearing more clothes can play a big role in how you set your thermostat. Opt for wearing long sweatpants and even a sweatshirt. Stash extra blankets on your couches, chairs, and rooms you regularly use. Having these items within a convenient reach will make it more likely for you to use them than reach to turn up the temperature on your thermostat.
Upgrade Your Heating System
If your existing heating system is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Newer heating systems have much higher operating efficiencies than heating systems produced just a mere 10 years ago. Furthermore, you may want to consider investing in a heat pump. These units offer more efficient heating at temperatures above freezing than any other heating system on the market today.
This can go a long way in helping to reduce your energy bills during times when the temperatures are above the freezing point. Additionally, many heat pumps and high-efficiency furnaces will make you eligible to receive a tax rebate from the federal government. Homeowners can claim up to $3,200 under the Inflation Reduction Act. Even some state and local governments are offering incentives.
Opt For Switching Fuels
If you have a fairly newer furnace, you may want to consider switching over to a cheaper fuel. It’s very commonplace for homeowners to switch from using heating oil to using natural gas. If you have natural gas in your area, it can be highly advantageous to convert your heating system to use it. Natural gas is much cheaper to run than heating oil or electricity.
Expert HVAC Maintenance Service
Tuck & Howell, Inc. offers expert HVAC maintenance service for the Greenville, SC, community. We can assist with all your cooling, heating, plumbing, ductwork, indoor air quality, sheet metal, and crawlspace encapsulation needs. Simply contact us to book your next service appointment.
