It’s possible to lower high heating costs with an energy-savings strategy that you can put in place with a little effort and expense. The time and money you devote to making small improvements throughout your home will give you increased comfort and long-term savings.
Heating System
Your heating system will work more efficiently and safely with professional maintenance each year. The HVAC professional will bring the system back to factory standards as much as possible. You should also check the air filter for the blower monthly and change the filter when it’s dirty.
If you’re routinely absent from your home, a programmable thermostat will also help you cut your heating costs, since it automatically adjusts the temperature based on your schedule.
Air Infiltration
If you have air leaks in your home’s envelope, you’ll have higher heating bills, and sealing them with caulk, weatherstripping or expanding foam (depending on the situation) is a good long term energy-savings strategy. Start with the windows and door frames, the foundation of your home and in the attic. Look at your dryer’s vent and make sure the fireplace damper is tightly closed.
Insulation
If you have inadequate insulation in the attic, the heat from your home will seep through the ceilings, eventually making it out of your home. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you have at least 16 inches and ideally 20 inches in the attic for the best thermal protection.
Insulating your older water heater also will reduce energy bills. Newer water heaters usually come with factory-installed insulation. When you set the water heater temperature, turn it down to 120 degrees F to save on energy while still having water that’s plenty hot enough for most household purposes.
Windows
Alone, glass has almost no insulating value. Having thermal or Energy Star labeled windows will keep your heating bills low, but if window upgrades are on hold, consider insulating drapes that cover the entire window and make a tight seal at the top and bottom. Home centers also sell clear plastic window kits that you can apply to the inside of your windows.
To learn more energy-savings strategy tips for your heating system, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We’ve provided exceptional HVAC services for the Dayton area since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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