Your residence is usually among your most precious investments. It helps you financially through building equity, and it’s an area to enjoy with your family and create memories, too. When it’s cold, you might also be dealing with higher utility bills.
As a consequence, finding approaches to lower your heating bill in Savannah without giving up comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
In regard to energy efficiency, homes resemble motor vehicles. Some require a lot of energy while others drink it steadily. Regardless of what kind of residence you have, there are steps to stop the chill this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to keep your family toasty without breaking the bank.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most economical solution out there. It’s also the best way to keep your furnace running optimally throughout the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal elements influence how frequently you should get a new one. High allergen counts, pets and residence size might also influence its life span. In most cases, low-priced filters should be swapped each month. Pleated models made with better material could last three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing homeowners overlook,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more overloaded the filter is, the less air is able to move through it and actually heat the residence. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a technician come to your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your air conditioner is prepped for the summer.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before the winter too.
Among other actions, an inspection commonly includes:
- Checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal pieces
- Examining system shutdown and startup processes
Regular service helps decrease the probability of handling an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with standard service.
3. Examine Windows and Doors for Cracks
Windows and doors are a main entry point for frigid air. Sealing window and door frames is an economical way to help keep cold air where it belongs.
Here’s one check that Hughes suggests.
Latch a door. Is any light visible? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not entirely sealed. Changes or weather-stripping may be required.
If your house has single-pane windows, you might want to consider 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 cool air where it belongs.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
4. Restrict Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes advises against leaving it on for an extended period of time.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t allow it to operate after your clothes are done.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels warm air out and increases cold air. Using these appliances longer than needed will force your furnace to run more often to take care of the unnecessary coldness.
5. Check Your House’s Outer Edges for Holes
Inspect your house’s exterior. This is the barrier that protects your home from the weather. If there’s a basement, be on the lookout for moving cobwebs or chilly air coming in close by the sides.
Polyurethane sealers and other things can be bought to mend basement walls letting air into your residence. Another economical idea is to get foam seals for fixture bottoms, for example ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re easy to install and are fantastic at blocking cold air in the winter.
6. Evaluate Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth confirming that you have adequate insulation levels
Hughes recommends looking at the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the recommended R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This suggestion is based on the geographic spot where you live.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be trying for homeowners with old systems.
If your furnace is malfunctioning or needing major repair, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not prepared to spend thousands on a new system.
That’s why we provide our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you bypass pricey service calls through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also install an energy-saving system in your house. Plus our pro techs will repair and maintain it for you without any extra out-of-pocket fee
Request an Appointment with Us Today
Make your Savannah residence more energy efficient with professional help from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 912-208-2399 or contact us online today.