Like it or not, winter is just around the corner. And you know what that means…it’s time to brace yourself – and your budget – for months of high heating bills. Keeping your whole house warm isn’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to shave a few bucks off your home heating bill here and there without sacrificing comfort.
These smart moves will keep your house toasty warm all winter long without blowing your budget.
Have an Energy Audit
No matter how energy-efficient you think your home is, an energy audit can identify even more energy-saving opportunities by uncovering where your home is losing energy and what steps you can take to improve efficiency. You can perform an energy audit on your own, or you can hire someone for a more professional approach. No matter which route you take, you’ll be able to find room to save energy and money and help reduce your carbon footprint.
Insulate Your Hot Water System
First, keep the temperature of the water heater to 120°F to not only save energy, but also help avoid scalding. Next, add foam insulation to water pipes in or near exterior walls to reduce heat loss and reduce the risk of pipes freezing. And finally, wrap a heat jacket around your water heater (check water heater manual first) so the appliance doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain water temperature.
Find and Seal Air Leaks
Hold a lit candle or stick of incense in front of windows and doors while inside. If you see horizontal smoke, it’s a sure sign that cold air is making its way inside. You can also dampen the back of your hand and run it around door and window frames, near sinks and toilets, electrical outlets, attic hatches, and ceiling fixtures. Add inexpensive weather stripping or caulking to doors and window frames where needed, apply temporary clear plastic window film to the inside of windows, purchase draft stoppers for exterior doors, and put foam gaskets behind outlets and switch plates.
Reduce Heat Loss from the Fireplace
Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning to prevent warm air from going right up the chimney. Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
Adjust the Temperature
When your home is occupied, set the thermostat as low as is comfortable. At bedtime, turn the thermostat down to save as much as 10% a year on your heating costs. A programmable thermostat allows you to preset temperatures based on your daily or weekly schedule, while a smart thermostat learns your heating habits and allows you to make adjustments right from your smartphone or tablet.
Address Attic and Basement Issues
Your attic and basement can be notorious sources of heat loss in winter. Head up to the attic and take a look at the insulation; if it looks uneven or is below the level of the floor joists, you may benefit from a bit more. Now check the basement for warmth escaping through uninsulated basement walls and windows. Seek the help of a professional to avoid potential combustion, moisture, and air-quality issues.
Maintain Your Heating System
Professional servicing of your home heating system is one of the best ways to ensure your furnace, boiler, or heat pump is operating safely and at peak efficiency. Ideally, have this done before the real cold kicks in to nip minor problems in the bud before they turn into costly emergency repairs. Also, check HVAC filters every 4-6 weeks and replace as needed to trap dirt, dust, and allergens and keep your indoor air as clear as possible.
Has it been a year or longer since your heating system was last given the attention it needs? Contact Messmer Mechanical today to schedule your annual inspection and rest easy all winter long.