Winter is coming. (Cue Game of Thrones intro.) While you may not 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 Climate Control Service Experts to get you started.
Clear Space Around Air Returns
You don’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Verify your air returns (the more sizable vents) are not blocked and that air can flow smoothly through them. Your cold air returns are necessary to help your furnace run efficiently.
Replace Your Windows
Windows are a common way that heat can seep out your home, so contemplate upgrading old or inefficient windows to help keep heat inside during the winter months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With allergy and cold season quickly approaching, you want to be sure you’re doing anything you can to keep your family healthy. For the well-being of your indoor air, make sure you’re replacing your furnace or duct air filter every quarter. This will also help your system run more efficiently and save you energy, which means decreasing your heating bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your heating equipment is older than 10 years, it’s almost certainly not nearly as energy-efficient as updated equipment. Before the winter hits and you’re stuck with a faulty furnace or high heating bills, think about upgrading your system.
Buy a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not sound right, but increased humidity, particularly in northern climates, can cause your home’s air to feel warmer than it actually is. Include the other benefits of decreasing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier could be the ideal addition to your HVAC system.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
We say it all the time – a programmable thermostat decreases your energy use and bills no matter what time of year it is. A programmable thermostat will allow you to decrease your home temperature while you are at work to help lower heating costs, and raise the temperature before you even make it home to yield the perfect amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the ideal amount of attic insulation helps keep heat from escaping during the winter, saving you energy because your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard, and therefore saves you money by decreasing your energy bills. Ask your local utility companies about rebates for installing or upgrading your attic insulation.
Insulate Plumbing
By insulating your plumbing pipes, especially hot water pipes, you can actually help raise the temperature two or three degrees. Warmer water on a lower setting? That decreases your energy usage and your energy bills – yes, please!
Get a Furnace Tune-Up
Make sure your heater is ready to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Climate Control . 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 251-202-7503 today to schedule your heating tune-up or set up a complimentary in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient HVAC system.