Why Your Energy Costs Rise In WinterPosted: 2021-02-11
| Since winter brings extremely low temperatures, you have to activate your heating system, which results in a spike in your electricity costs. But that’s a given — and there are other ways why you’re experiencing such snowballing power bills come wintertime. Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted heating company in Dellwood MN. We provide top-notch furnace maintenance services that guarantee optimum performance and energy efficiency. Give these things some thought. Poor Insulation The United States Department of Energy estimates that your HVAC equipment is responsible for nearly half of your utility bills. Over the past decade, January and February have been the two coldest months in the state of Minnesota. The larger the difference between the temperature outside and the temperature inside, the harder your air conditioner works to meet your cooling demands. In many homes, insulation is the most practical and cost-effective way to increase its energy-efficiency. If your house has poor insulation, some of the heated air coming from your vents will escape elsewhere, wasting energy in the process. Therefore, it’s best to ask your local HVAC company to assess and make improvements to your home’s insulation. If your home is properly insulated, you can keep it warmer in winter, which can save up to 80 percent in heating and cooling losses. Also, proper insulation can reduce the condensation in your home, avoiding the development of mold and mildew. Not only does it lower your bills, it also helps keep your family healthy. An Increase in Electricity Use Because of the numbing weather, you are disposed to run more appliances and systems to keep yourself and your family comfortable and amused. This is why your energy bills usually go up during winter. In the course of the hot months, it’s easy to sweat and get uneasy when sharing a bed. However, during the cold season, it’s quite the opposite. Using a snuggly electric blanket gives you the option to share a bed and enjoy the coziness it offers. But this also translates to higher energy use and a boost in your electric bills. Also, drying clothes is easy during the scorching days of summer but it becomes a challenging task during winter. To speed up the drying process, you tend to run your clothes dryer, causing a bump in your power costs. Moreover, ff you have irregular heat distribution from your heating system, there likely are some areas that are much colder than the rest. You may choose to run electric heaters to increase the temperature and keep your family warm. But as anticipated, you will see a surge in your energy invoice. Leaky Ducts Proper airflow is critical to keeping your heating system in great shape. Warm air can easily escape through the leaks in your ducts, causing your furnace to run longer to match your thermostat setting, which results in higher energy costs. Leaky ducts also clog your filter at a much faster rate than when you have clean ducts. All that extra dust and dirt will quickly collect in your filter, which requires you to change it more often than usual. In addition to making sure you have good insulation, consider checking your ducts for leaks, disconnects, and holes. Have a professional check it for you to improve your system’s overall efficiency. Poor Equipment Maintenance A furnace that doesn’t undergo professional annual maintenance works harder than it has to. For example, a clogged filter or the lack of lubrication of moving parts can hamper the smooth operation of your system. Professional check-up improves the efficiency and reliability of your furnace. It also ensures your unit works safely by allowing it to function according to the manufacturer’s specifications. A licensed HVAC professional possesses the training, tools, and experience to properly maintain your furnace. He knows your furnace inside and out, can spot and fix issues even before they become serious problems. Ask the Experts in Energy-Efficiency For over forty years, Four Seasons Air Specialists has been helping homeowners like you maintain their HVAC systems and ensure effortless operation, which results in lower energy costs. If you want to start saving money on your HVAC bills, give us a call. We are your well-grounded White Bear Lake furnace maintenance company. |