Effective Ways to Save on Your Heating CostsPosted: 2019-01-17
| This winter, one thing is for sure: that furnace of yours is going to work a lot harder than the previous season. That’s why you have to prepare yourself for the inevitable rise in your utility bills. High home heating bills have a direct impact on every homeowner’s budget each winter, especially for people who rely on fixed incomes or live paycheck to paycheck. At Four Seasons Air Specialists, we aim to help you create an energy-efficient home that can provide you with the comfort you need without having to overspend on utilities. We are your trusted heating company in Lino Lakes, MN that never stops finding ways to serve your home comfort needs. Here are helpful tips on how to lower your heating bills this winter. Clothe in layers. In general, you should get lots of insulation between you and the environment, and to remove that insulation layer by layer when you get warmer. First things first: if your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold, so make a point of wearing socks around the house during the cold season. Then, if you’re still feeling cold, consider these steps:
Improve your home’s insulation. Heat is always moving from a warmer to a cooler area. Throughout the winter season, a significant amount of energy can be transferred through exterior walls, rather than staying in your home to keep you warm. This transfer of heat can be reduced with insulation in your walls, giving your home a higher heat flow resistance or what is referred to as an R-value. This is a measure of how well an object resists conductive heat flow. Rule of thumb is, the higher R-value is better, and means less air escapes to the outside of the house. If your home isn’t properly insulated, your furnace has to work harder to provide you with a comfortable indoor environment. Here are two signs that you have poor insulation:
If you have an older home, consider a home energy audit to identify air leaks and areas where insulation can be enhanced. This audit will also inspect your home’s existing insulation’s R-value. Focus on the areas where insulation needs improvement. If you have an attic, you might install insulation on top of the floor or under the roof deck, depending on your home’s design and the location of your HVAC system. For basements, find the areas where wood and concrete come together and close off the gaps. In cold climates, you may need to add insulation in interior or exterior of your walls by drilling 3-inch holes, blowing in cellulose and sealing the openings. For the most part, insulation will last for the life of the home, and it won’t need that much maintenance. When the right installation is properly installed, you can minimize the amount of heated air that escapes from indoors. Manage your filters. The air filter is there to protect the internal components of your HVAC system from dirt, debris, and other particles. Dirty filters block the airflow, which causes your AC or furnace to work harder, consuming more fuel in the process. To ensure your furnace’s efficiency, you should change your filters regularly. Need Help? Call Four Seasons Air Specialists For over 40 years, we have been providing unparalleled HVAC products and service to our customers. As your premier Centerville heating and air conditioning maintenance contractor, we can help you convert your home into an energy efficient abode. |