Winter is coming. (Cue Game of Thrones intro.) While you probably won’t have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still critical to make sure your home is good to go for the cold. Here are a few tips from Teays Valley Service Experts to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You don’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Confirm your air returns (the bigger vents) are not blocked and that air can flow smoothly through them. Your cold air returns are needed to help your heating equipment run efficiently.
Upgrade Your Windows
Windows are a typical way that heat can get out of your home, so think about updating old or inefficient windows to help keep heat inside during the winter months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With allergy and cold season nearing, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your family in good health. For the health of your indoor air, replace your furnace or duct air filter every 12 weeks. This will also help your equipment run more efficiently and save you energy, which means saving you money on heating bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your system is older than 12 years, it’s most likely not nearly as energy-efficient as updated furnaces. Before the winter hits and you’re stuck with a faulty furnace or high utility bills, think about investing in an upgraded system.
Buy a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not make sense when you hear it, but higher humidity, especially in northern climates, can cause your home’s air to feel warmer than it actually is. Include the other benefits of decreasing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier may be the perfect addition to your heating system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – a programmable thermostat saves you energy and money no matter what time of year it is. A programmable thermostat will let you decrease your home temperature while you are out to help decrease heating costs, and turn up the temperature before you even make it home to provide the right amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the right amount of attic insulation helps keep heat from escaping during the winter, lowering your energy use because your furnace doesn’t have to operate as much, and therefore saves you money by decreasing your energy bills. Check with your local utility companies about rebates for installing or upgrading your attic insulation.
Wrap Plumbing
By insulating your plumbing pipes, especially hot water pipes, you can actually help boost the temperature two or three degrees. Hot water on a lower setting? That decreases your energy usage and your energy bills – yes, please!
Get a Furnace Tune-Up
Make sure your heating system is ready to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Teays Valley . Currently we are giving discounts on our heating tune ups to help make sure you stay warm and safe all winter long. Call 304-760-5088 today to schedule your Precision tune-up or set up a complimentary in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating and cooling system.