Winter is coming. (Cue Game of Thrones intro.) While you probably won’t have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still essential to make sure your home is ready for the cold. Here are a couple suggestions from Stevenson Service Experts to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You don’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Confirm your air returns (the bigger vents) are not obstructed and that air can flow smoothly through them. Your cold air returns are required to help your heating equipment run efficiently.
Upgrade Your Windows
Windows are a common way that heat can escape your home, so contemplate replacing old or inefficient windows to help retain heat inside during the cooler months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With allergy and cold season quickly approaching, you want to make sure you’re doing anything you can to keep your family in good health. 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 system run more efficiently and save you energy, which means lowering your utility bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your system is older than ten years, it’s almost certainly not nearly as energy-efficient as newer heating systems. Before the cooler temperature hits and you’re stuck with a failing furnace or high utility bills, consider upgrading your system.
Purchase a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not seem logical, 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 could be the perfect addition to your heating system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We can’t say it enough – a programmable thermostat saves you energy and money no matter what season it is. A programmable thermostat will allow you to decrease your home temperature while you are at work to help lower heating costs, and increase the temperature before you even get home to yield the right amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the ideal amount of attic insulation helps retain heat during the winter, saving you energy because your heater doesn’t have to run as much, and therefore saves you money on heating bill. Ask your local utility companies about rebates for installing or upgrading your attic insulation.
Cover Plumbing
By insulating your plumbing pipes, especially hot water pipes, you can actually help boost the temperature a few degrees. Hot water on a decreased setting? That decreases your energy usage and your energy bills – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Be sure your heater is ready to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Stevenson . This month we are offering discounts on our fall tune ups to help make sure you stay warm and safe all winter long. Call 937-503-7896 today to schedule your Precision tune-up or set up a no-charge in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient HVAC system.