Since our first blog on 8 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer was such a hit, I decided to do one for the winter as well. And with the artic blast we are due to receive at the end of the week, what better time than now! Grab your hot chocolate, a warm blanket and snuggle up to see how you can stay warm this winter.
1. Invest in a programmable thermostat. According to Consumer Reports.org, using a programmable thermostat can save you $180 a year by automatically reducing your system’s output when you are sleeping or away from the home. Many customers ask us what temperature they should set their thermostats. It’s really a personal preference but a good guide is to set it as low as is comfortable. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% a year by turning your thermostat back by 7-10° for 8 hours a day.
2. Weather strip doors or use door sweeps. You can reduce drafts in your home by weather stripping doors and windows. It is a fairly easy and cost effective way to reduce your utility bills and keep your family warm this winter. Door sweeps are another inexpensive way to keep drafts to a minimum.
3. Use your curtains. Curtains (the thicker the better) can provide an extra layer to keep the cold out. In south and west facing rooms, keep your curtains open during the day to allow the sun to help warm your rooms naturally.
4. Reverse your ceiling fan. During the winter, change your ceiling fan’s rotation to a clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft that brings warm air near the ceiling down to the rest of the room.
5. Replace air filters. I can’t say it enough! Changing your air filters regularly is the best thing you can do for your HVAC system. Its cheap, easy, and can help keep your system functioning properly for many years to come. Dirty filters restrict the air flow of your home and puts a lot of additional strain on your unit which leads to more breakdowns and higher utility bills.
6. Have ductwork inspected. Many homeowners often neglect their ductwork since it is not as readily seen as other aspects of your home. Your duct system is one of the most important systems in your home. Ducts that leak heated air into unheated spaces can add hundreds of dollars to your utility bills. Davis Heating & AC has comfort specialists that can come to your home and perform a duct blast test. Duct blast testing is the most accurate way to test the quality of your ductwork.
7. Insulation. Properly insulating your home can lower utility bills and increase your family’s comfort level. You may need to re-insulate your attic to a more energy efficient R-30 insulation. Some electric companies, such as Duke Energy, offer rebates on qualifying insulation upgrades.
8. Preventative maintenance. Having regular preventative maintenance on your HVAC system gives your system longer life, better efficiency, and can reduce repairs. Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating efficiency and failure. Davis Heating & AC offers an Energy Savings Agreement which is preventative maintenance on your heating and cooling system. We strongly recommend having your heat pump, air conditioner, or furnace looked at twice a year by a professional.
If you have any other tips on how to keep your home warm in the winter we would love to hear them! Give Davis Heating & AC a call for your heating repair or replacement needs!