Your house is likely among your most valued investments. It supports you financially through improving equity, and it’s a place to watch your family grow and develop memories, too. During the winter, you might also be experiencing growing utility bills.
As a consequence, finding approaches to lower your heating bill in Roanoke without lowering comfort can seem harder than it needs to be.
As far as energy efficiency, residences resemble vehicles. Some consume a lot of energy while others drink it slowly. Regardless of what sort of home you live in, there are steps to block the discomfort this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to keep your family comfortable without driving up your energy bill.
1. Get a New Your Air Filter
It’s the most economical solution there is. It’s also the best method to keep your heater functioning properly during the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal elements influence how frequently you should put in a new one. Soaring allergen counts, pets and residence size might also influence its durability. In most cases, low-priced filters should be swapped monthly. Pleated models made with better material could work for three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing people ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more full the filter is, the less air is able to move through it and actually add warmth to the house. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder.”
2. Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a technician stop by your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is prepared for the heat.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other actions, an inspection typically involves:
- Examining thermostat settings
- Cleaning and greasing internal parts
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup procedures
A tune-up helps decrease the chance of handling an emergency repair in the middle of a blizzard. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with regular maintenance.
3. Check Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a primary entry point for frigid air. Insulating window and door frames is an inexpensive way to help keep frigid air outside.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes recommends.
Shut a door. Can you see any light? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not totally sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping could be needed.
If you have single-pane windows, you might want to think over a dual-pane improvement.
Some homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.
It’s not a bad idea, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping cool air outside.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or higher.
4. Limit Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes suggests against leaving it running for too long.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t permit it to run after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out heated air outside and adds cold air. Operating these appliances all the time will require your furnace to work harder to fight the unnecessary chill.
5. Examine Your Residence’s Outer Edges for Holes
Evaluate your residence’s exterior. This is the barrier that protects your house from the outside. If there’s a basement, be on the lookout for blowing cobwebs or chilly air trickling in around the edges.
Polyurethane products and other solutions can be used to mend basement walls leaking air into your residence. Another affordable idea is to add foam seals for fixture bases, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re easy to use and are fantastic at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Measure Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have adequate insulation levels
Hughes advises checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the suitable R-value for your residence’s walls and attic space. This value is based on the geographic location where your home is.
7. Think About Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be trying for homeowners with underperforming equipment.
If your furnace is going out or in need of extensive fixes, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not able to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we offer our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you avoid costly fixes through a small monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-efficient system in your house. Plus our pro technicians will overhaul and tune it up for you without any added out-of-pocket cost
Request an Appointment with Us Right Away
Make your Roanoke house more energy efficient with professional assistance from Service Experts.
For more information about our Advantage Program or to schedule an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 540-302-8645 or contact us online now.