1. Clean Your Furnace
A clean furnace is an efficient and happy furnace. If you’re looking to save money on energy bills, you should start with having your furnace checked and cleaned. Clearing dust and other build up out of the furnace will help the furnace more effectively heat your home during the winter months.
2. Change Your Air Filter
Air filters need to be changed on your furnace regularly. Dirty filters block airflow and can result in system failures and pollutants in your home. So for about $20 keep your home furnace running efficiently and pollutants to a minimum.
3. Use Your Ceiling Fans
While this may sound counter-intuitive, using your ceiling fans during the winter helps push that warm air that lingers on your base floor to move upwards into the living area's of your home. You'll ultimately save money by not having to hike up that temperature!
4. Use Washing Machines and Dishwashers Wisely
When doing your laundry, make sure that you are doing only "full" loads at any given time. Laundering daily with partial loads ends up wasting energy. Same goes for having a full dishwasher and not a half-empty one.
5. Use Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Fluorescent lighting has improved greatly over the past few years and they use half of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last longer!
6. Keep Shades Up and Blinds Open
Open up those blinds and shades and harness the natural energy and light from the sun! This also cuts down on heating costs and closing them at night keeps the temperatures in the house consistent and warm
7. Insulate Your Water Heater
Insulation is important in older water heaters because it helps retain heat and reduces energy bills. Also, remember to change the mode of your unit if you will be gone from the home for more than a few days.
8. Install and Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you're goal is to truly save money this winter season, then switch out those old thermostats for the new programmable ones which allow you to program the temperatures by individual floors/levels. They are easy to install and give you the flexibility to lower or raise the temperatures based on where you are in the home. Great for sleeping at night too!
9. Light A Candle
Light a candle on a windy day and walk through your home looking for air leaks. Once you've identified them, seal the areas so that you won't be losing your heat.
10. Ensure duct work is properly sealed
Hot and cold air alike can be lost in improperly sealed and insulated duct work. Give us a call and we'll give you the name of a reputable HVAC individual in your area to evaluate your homes needs.
