Winter is coming. (Signal Game of Thrones intro.) While you shouldn’t have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still crucial to make sure your home is ready for the cold. Here are some suggestions from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You shouldn’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Confirm your air returns (the bigger vents) are not blocked and that air can easily flow through them. Your cold air returns are necessary to help your furnace run efficiently.
Replace Your Windows
Windows are a usual way that heat can get out of your home, so think about updating old or inefficient windows to help keep heat inside during the cooler months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With cold and flu season nearing, you want to be 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 three months. This will also help your system run more efficiently and save you energy, which means saving you money on utility bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your heating equipment is older than 10 years, it’s most likely not nearly as energy-efficient as newer furnaces. Before the cold hits and you’re stuck with a faulty furnace or high heating bills, discuss replacing your system.
Invest in a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not sound right, but higher 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 decreasing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier could be the ideal addition to your heat and air system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We can’t say it enough – a programmable thermostat lowers your energy usage and bills no matter what time of year it is. A programmable thermostat will enable you to turn down your home temperature while you are out to help reduce heating costs, and increase the temperature before you even make it home to provide the perfect amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the correct amount of attic insulation helps keep heat from escaping during the winter, lowering your energy use because your heater doesn’t have to work as hard, and therefore saves you money by decreasing your energy bills. Check with your local utility companies about rebates on installing or upgrading your home’s insulation.
Wrap Plumbing
By insulating your plumbing pipes, especially hot water pipes, you can actually help boost the temperature a couple of degrees. Warmer water on a decreased setting? That saves you energy and money – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Be sure your furnace is ready to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Service Experts. This month we are giving discounts on our seasonal tune ups to help make sure your family stays warm and safe through the cold months. Call 919-578-4329 today to schedule your heating tune-up or set up a free in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating and cooling system.