With winter on its way, here are some tips to help keep your home warm and energy efficient for when the cold weather arrives:
- Change Your Furnace Filter: If too much debris has collected, your heating system has to use more energy to push air through.
- Dress Warmer: This lets you lower your thermostat while still staying warm.
- Seal Ductwork: Make sure you don’t lose conditioned air to unnecessary areas like your attic or crawlspaces.
- Install Storm Windows and Doors: Designed to keep out cold weather, these can help increase your energy efficiency up to 45 percent.
- Insulate Your Pipes: This prevents freezing that can crack your water lines and require expensive repairs.
- Hire A Reputable HVAC Contractor: Make sure to work with someone you can trust to get the job done right the first time.
- Use Alternate Energy Sources: These tend to be more energy efficient than traditional sources.
- Stop Drafts: Drafts can make your HVAC system up to 30 percent less efficient. As well as making you more uncomfortable.
- Drain Outdoor Hoses: This prevents freezing both in the hose and pipes leading to the hose.
- Use Plastic Film: This is a clear plastic film that can cover your windows to almost act as a storm window and be a buffer from cold weather.
- Run Ceiling Fans In Reverse: When your fans run clockwise, they will direct warm air back down into your rooms.
- Turn Down Your Water Heater: Lowering the operating temperature several degrees can lower your water heating costs by up to 10 percent.
- Use Weatherstripping: This helps keep cold air out and warm air in.
- Upgrade Your Furnace: New models are much more energy-efficient.
- Use Tax Credits To Your Advantage: Rebates and other offers can make energy-efficient upgrades more attainable.
- Program Your Thermostat: Set a schedule that revolves around your daily routine to lower your energy expenses.
- Use An Energy Monitor: These indicate you when you have been using more energy than usual.
- Add Insulation: Add insulation to your attic and basement to help keep out the cold.
- Have Your Furnace Inspected: Preventive maintenance will ensure that you are able to get the most from your heating system and that it won’t break down unexpectedly.
For more tips on how to prepare your home for cold weather, contact Ernst Heating & Coolingtoday. We proudly serve the Metro-East area.
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Ernst Heating & Cooling services Hamel, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!