Your home is likely one of your most treasured investments. It supports you financially through improving equity, and it’s a space to raise your family and develop memories, too. This time of year, you may also face growing gas bills.
As a consequence, finding approaches to lower your heating bill in Philadelphia without lowering comfort can appear challenging.
As far as energy efficiency, homes are similar to cars. Some consume a lot of energy while others sip it slowly. Regardless of what type of home you have, there are ways to end the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven tips to help your family stay warm without breaking the bank.
1. Replace Your Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective suggestion that exists. It’s also the best method to keep your heating system functioning smoothly during the winter.
The type of filter and seasonal factors influence how regularly you should put in a new one. High allergen counts, pets and home size might also affect its life span. Generally, low-priced filters should be changed monthly. Pleated styles made with denser material could work for three months or longer.
“It’s really the large thing homeowners forget about,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more loaded up the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually heat the house. A clogged filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Annual HVAC Service
It’s normal to have a technician stop by your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your air conditioner is ready for the heat.
But don’t overlook scheduling an appointment for furnace service before it gets cold too.
Among other actions, an inspection commonly covers:
- Examining thermostat settings
- Cleaning and lubricating internal parts
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup controls
Maintenance helps lessen the chance of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been avoided with standard maintenance.
3. Inspect Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a central entry point for chilly air. Insulating window and door frames is an cost effective method to help keep cold air out.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes suggests.
Shut a door. Can you see any light? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not entirely sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping might be required.
If your residence has single-pane windows, you might want to think about a dual-pane option.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic film.
It’s not a bad idea, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping cool air outside.
When you switch to double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you need the exhaust fan while cooking, Hughes advises against leaving it going for a long time.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t allow it to run after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out warm air out and adds cold air. Operating these appliances longer than needed will force your heater to run more often to take care of the preventable cold.
5. Look at Your Home’s Edges for Holes
Check your residence’s exterior. This is the boundary that separates your home from the outdoors. If you have a basement, check for moving cobwebs or cool air trickling in near the corners.
Polyurethane products and other options can be bought to mend basement walls leaking air into your residence. Another economical move is to add foam seals for fixture undersides, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re simple to use and are great at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Measure Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have appropriate insulation levels
Hughes suggests checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to determine the appropriate R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This value is based on the geographic spot where you live.
7. Think About Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be rough for homeowners with aging units.
If your furnace is not working right or in need of expensive service, there’s a decent chance you’re not set to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we offer our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you avoid pricey repairs through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also install an energy-efficient system in your home. Plus our professional specialists will overhaul and service it for you without any additional out-of-pocket fee
Request an Appointment with Us Today
Make your Philadelphia home more energy efficient with professional help from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to request an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 215-278-9690 or contact us online now.