Your residence is likely at the top of the list of your most precious investments. It helps you financially through building equity, and it’s a place to enjoy with your family and develop memorable moments, too. During the winter, you might also be experiencing rising energy costs.
Consequently, finding methods to lower your heating bill in Shreveport without lowering comfort can feel difficult.
As far as energy efficiency, residences are like vehicles. Some consume a lot of energy while others drink it steadily. Regardless of what type of house you have, there are ways to stop the discomfort this winter. The Experts are here with seven tips to help your family stay comfy without driving up your energy bill.
1. Get a New Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective solution there is. It’s also the best approach to keep your heating system running smoothly throughout the winter.
The type of filter and seasonal determinants contribute to how regularly you should replace it. Soaring allergen counts, pets and home size may also impact its life span. Generally, cheap filters should be swapped monthly. Pleated styles made with better material might last three months or longer.
“It’s really the major thing folks overlook,” 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 be filtered through it and actually warm the home. A dirty filter makes your HVAC system work harder.”
2. Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s common to have a tech visit your residence in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is prepped for the summer.
But don’t forget to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it gets cold too.
Among other procedures, an inspection commonly involves:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal pieces
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup controls
Regular service helps lessen the possibility of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a blizzard. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with normal service.
3. Examine Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a leading entry point for cold air. Sealing window and door frames is an economical approach to help keep cold air outside.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes suggests.
Shut a door. Is any light visible? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not entirely sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping may be required.
If your home has single-pane windows, you may want to consider a dual-pane improvement.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.
It’s not a bad move, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping chilled air out.
When you add double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it running for a long time.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t permit it to work after your clothes are done.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels warm air out and adds cold air. Operating these appliances all the time will force your HVAC system to use more energy to manage the preventable coldness.
5. Examine Your Residence’s Outer Edges for Leaks
Inspect your house’s exterior. This is the barrier that protects your house from the outside. If you have a basement, look for blowing cobwebs or cold coming in near the corners.
Polyurethane sealant and other options can be bought to fix basement walls leaking air into your home. Another affordable tip is to get foam seals for fixture bases, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re fast to install and are fantastic at blocking cold air in the winter.
6. Evaluate Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes suggests looking at the ENERGY STAR® zone map to find the recommended R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This value is established on the geographic location where you’re located.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter could be rough for homeowners with underperforming systems.
If your furnace is going out or requiring extensive repair, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not set to spend thousands on a new system.
That’s why we provide our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent pricey fixes through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also hook up a high-efficiency system in your home. Plus our pro technicians will repair and service it for you without any added out-of-pocket expense
Schedule an Appointment with Us Today
Make your Shreveport house more energy efficient with professional help from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 318-588-8163 or contact us online right away.