Your home is likely one of your most precious investments. It assists you financially through improving equity, and it’s an area to enjoy with your family and create memorable moments, too. This time of year, you might also face higher utility expenses.
Consequently, finding tactics to lower your heating bill in Cleveland without lowering comfort can seem challenging.
As far as energy efficiency, residences are similar to vehicles. Some consume a lot of energy while others use it gradually. Regardless of what kind of residence you live in, there are steps to halt the discomfort this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to keep your family comfy without driving up your energy bill.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most inexpensive recommendation out there. It’s also the best approach to keep your furnace operating optimally during the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal determinants contribute to how regularly you should replace it. Soaring allergen counts, pets and house size might also affect its durability. Generally, inexpensive filters should be swapped monthly. Pleated styles made with better material may make it three months or longer.
“It’s really the major thing folks forget about,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more overloaded the filter is, the less air is able to move through it and actually warm the residence. A clogged filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s common to have a technician come by your residence in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is prepped for the heat.
But don’t overlook scheduling an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other actions, an inspection commonly includes:
- Checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and greasing internal pieces
- Examining system shutdown and startup controls
Maintenance helps decrease the likelihood of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with routine maintenance.
3. Inspect Windows and Doors for Leaks
Windows and doors are a primary entry point for frigid air. Sealing window and door frames is an inexpensive approach to help keep chilly air where it belongs.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes recommends.
Shut a door. Do you notice any light? If so, it’s not totally sealed. Changes or weather-stripping could be required.
If you have single-pane windows, you should think over a dual-pane upgrade.
Some homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping cool air out.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Restrict Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it running for a long time.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t let it to run after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out hot air out and pulls in cold air. Operating these appliances longer than needed will make your heater to use more energy to fight the preventable cold.
5. Examine Your Home’s Perimeter for Leaks
Check your residence’s perimeter. This is the area that shields your residence from the elements. If your home has a basement, look for fluttering cobwebs or cold trickling in near the edges.
Polyurethane sealant and other solutions can be used to mend basement walls allowing air into your house. Another affordable move is to get foam seals for fixture bottoms, for example ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re fast to use and are awesome at keeping the cold air out in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have adequate insulation levels
Hughes advises looking at the ENERGY STAR® zone map to find the recommended R-value for your residence’s walls and attic space. This recommendation is based on the geographic location where you live.
7. Sign Up for Our Advantage Program™
Winter might be tough for homeowners with inefficient units.
If your furnace is malfunctioning or requiring costly repair, there’s a fair chance you’re not set to spend thousands on a new system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you bypass pricey fixes through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also install an energy-saving system in your house. Plus our pro technicians will fix and service it for you without any additional out-of-pocket fee
Schedule an Appointment with Us Today
Make your Cleveland house more energy efficient with expert support from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to schedule an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 440-252-1375 or contact us online today.