Your house is usually one of your most prized investments. It supports you financially through boosting equity, and it’s an area to enjoy with your family and develop moments you’ll remember, too. When it’s cold, you may also be dealing with higher heating expenses.
As a consequence, finding tactics to lower your heating bill in West Palm Beach without compromising comfort can appear difficult.
When it comes to energy efficiency, residences are similar to cars. Some guzzle energy while others use it gradually. Regardless of what type of home you live in, there are ways to stop the chill this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to keep you toasty without breaking the bank.
1. Replace Your Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective recommendation out there. It’s also the best method to keep your furnace running optimally during the winter.
The model of filter and seasonal determinants influence how frequently you should replace it. Soaring allergen counts, pets and home size might also impact its durability. Generally, inexpensive filters should be changed every month. Pleated models made with denser material may make it three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing people forget about,” 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 add warmth to the residence. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Routine HVAC Service
It’s standard to have an Expert come to your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your air conditioner is prepared for the summer.
But don’t forget to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it gets cold too.
Among other actions, an inspection typically covers:
- Checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal components
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup procedures
A tune-up helps lessen the chance of facing an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with routine tune-ups.
3. Examine Windows and Doors for Leaks
Windows and doors are a main entry point for cold air. Insulating window and door frames is an practical way to help keep cold air outside.
Here’s one check that Hughes recommends.
Latch a door. Do you notice any light? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not entirely sealed. Changes or weather-stripping may be necessary.
If your home has single-pane windows, you may want to think about a dual-pane improvement.
Some homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide enhanced insulation for keeping cool air where it belongs.
When you add double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you need the exhaust fan while cooking, Hughes advises against leaving it on for a long time.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t permit it to work after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out hot air outside and adds cold air. Running these appliances continuously will make your HVAC system to use more energy to handle the avoidable cold.
5. Check Your House’s Outer Edges for Leaks
Check your residence’s building envelope. This is the area that protects your home from the outside. If there’s a basement, look for moving cobwebs or cold flowing in near the corners.
Polyurethane sealant and other options can be bought to mend basement walls letting air into your residence. Another affordable idea is to get foam seals for fixture bases, for example ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re simple to put in and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Evaluate Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth confirming that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes advises visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the appropriate R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This value is formulated on the geographic location where your home is.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter could be rough for homeowners with old systems.
If your furnace is failing or requiring extensive service, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not prepared to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we offer our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you avoid expensive service calls through a modest monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-saving system in your home. Plus our Expert technicians will fix and maintain it for you without any added out-of-pocket cost
Schedule an Appointment with Us Now
Make your West Palm Beach home more energy efficient with expert support from Service Experts.
For more specifics about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 561-629-1826 or contact us online now.