Winter is coming. (In comes Game of Thrones intro.) While you shouldn’t have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still essential to make sure your home is good to go for the cold. Here are a few tips from Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You won’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Verify your air returns (the more sizable vents) are not restricted and that air can easily flow through them. Your cold air returns are needed to help your heating system run efficiently.
Update Your Windows
Windows are a usual way that heat can leak out your home, so think about updating old or inefficient windows to help retain heat inside during the cooler months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With cold and flu season quickly approaching, you want to make sure you’re doing anything you can to keep your family from falling ill. For the health of your indoor air, swap out your furnace or duct air filter every few months. This will also help your equipment run more efficiently and save you energy, which means saving you money on energy bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your furnace is older than 12 years, it’s most likely not nearly as energy-efficient as updated equipment. Before the winter hits and you’re stuck with a faulty furnace or high utility bills, discuss upgrading your system.
Purchase a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not seem logical, but increased humidity, more so in northern climates, can cause your home’s air to feel warmer than it actually is. Joined with the other benefits of less dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier may be the ultimate addition to your heating system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – a programmable thermostat lowers your energy usage and bills no matter what temperature it is. A programmable thermostat will allow you to decrease your home temperature while you are at work to help decrease heating costs, and increase the temperature before you even make it home to provide the ideal amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the right amount of attic insulation helps trap heat in your home during the winter, saving you energy because your heating system doesn’t have to operate as much, and therefore saves you money by decreasing your energy bills. Ask your local utility companies about rebates for installing or upgrading your attic insulation.
Cover Plumbing
By insulating your plumbing pipes, especially hot water pipes, you can actually help increase the temperature a few degrees. Warmer water on a cooler setting? That lowers your energy use and bills – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Verify your heating system is ready to keep your family warm and comfy all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Service Experts. Right now we are giving discounts on our fall tune ups to help make sure your home stays warm and safe through the cold months. Call 215-278-9690 today to schedule your seasonal tune-up or set up a complimentary in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating system.