Winter is coming. (Signal Game of Thrones intro.) While you may not have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still important to make sure your home is ready for the cold. Here are a couple recommendations from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to get you started.
Clear Space Around Air Returns
You won’t need cold air returns in the winter right? Wrong. Make sure your air returns (the larger vents) are not blocked and that air can easily flow through them. Your cold air returns are required to help your heating equipment run efficiently.
Update Your Windows
Windows are a typical way that heat can seep out your home, so consider updating old or inefficient windows to help trap heat inside during the winter months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With cold and flu season coming soon, 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, make sure you’re replacing your furnace or duct air filter every 12 weeks. This will also help your furnace run more efficiently and save you energy, which means lowering your energy bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your system is older than ten years, it’s probably not nearly as energy-efficient as updated heating systems. Before the winter hits and you’re stuck with a failing furnace or high utility bills, consider investing in an upgraded system.
Purchase a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not make sense when you hear it, but more humidity, more so in northern climates, can make your home’s air feel warmer than it is. Add the other benefits of less dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier may be the perfect addition to your heat and air system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – a programmable thermostat saves you energy and money no matter what time of year it is. A programmable thermostat will enable you to lower your home temperature while you are out to help decrease heating costs, and turn up the temperature before you even arrive home to yield 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 lowering your heating costs. Ask your local utility companies about rebates on installing or upgrading your home’s insulation.
Wrap Plumbing
If you insulate your hot water pipes, it can actually help boost the temperature a few degrees. Hot water on a cooler setting? That decreases your energy usage and your energy bills – yes, please!
Get a Furnace Tune-Up
Be sure your furnace is ready to keep your family warm and comfy all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Service Experts. Currently we are giving discounts on our heating tune ups to help make sure your home stays warm and safe all winter long. Call 318-588-8163 today to schedule your seasonal tune-up or set up a no-charge in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating and cooling system.