4 Tips to Help You Save This Winter
Winters in Mount Pleasant, Texas, can feel chilly. As a result, utility bills often increase around this time of year. You can decrease your expenses and conserve energy by keeping your HVAC system working efficiently and making some simple improvements. Save money this winter by adding insulation, using ceiling fans, installing a programmable thermostat, and maintaining your heater.
Add Insulation
Gaps or leaks in your home’s insulation will let heat escape and force your HVAC system to work harder. It can also increase wear and shorten your system’s life. Some types of insulation can settle and lose effectiveness over time. Pests can chew holes in it, as well. Adding more insulation can prevent drafts, save power and make your family feel more comfortable.
Have any worn, damaged, or dirty materials in your basement or attic replaced. You can also add weatherstripping underneath doors and windows, and apply caulk to gaps around light switches and electrical outlets. In some homes, you can adjust the heights of thresholds to make weatherstripping under doors more effective. The experts at Wood Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. can conduct an ENERGY STAR home performance evaluation to help you find out exactly where you need more insulation. We’ll also suggest other ways to save energy.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help you stay warm and avoid using your HVAC system as often. In the summer, they turn counterclockwise to create comfortable breezes. In the winter, reverse the direction of your fans to clockwise by using the small switches near the light fixtures.
The ceiling fans will draw cool air upward and push warmer air down to make you feel more comfortable. With ceiling fans, you can reduce your reliance on your heater without giving up your comfort. As a result, you can conserve energy and lower your utility bills. For the most savings possible, keep your ceiling fans running constantly at a low speed. Also, turn them off in unoccupied rooms.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A smart or programmable thermostat can adjust the settings in your house automatically. In the winter, you can set it to lower the temperature when you’re asleep under lots of blankets or away from home. This lets you save energy without affecting the comfort of your family members or guests. It also extends your system’s life by reducing wear. You can also set it to raise the temepature in winter right before you return home.
You can control many programmable thermostats through your smartphone. As a result, you can make changes and check on the status of your system from anywhere with an internet connection. Some units can also let you know when to change your air filter by monitoring your indoor air quality. They can also remind you when you should have a professional maintain your system.
Schedule Heating Maintenance
You should have your heater checked by the experts at Wood Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. at least once per year. Regular heating maintenance will help you make sure your system keeps working at peak efficiency. As a result, you’ll prevent high energy costs and expensive breakdowns.
Change your heater’s air filter at least every three months to save energy. Changing your heater’s air filter also helps remove contaminants such as dirt, dust, pollen and pet dander. These pollutants can reduce your indoor air quality and increase allergy or asthma symptoms.
Even in the winter, you should also check your heat pump or air conditioner’s outdoor unit for leaves, twigs and other debris that could reduce its efficiency. Use a garden hose to rinse it off when needed, and trim any vegetation nearby for optimal airflow.
Wood Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. has more than 60 years of heating and cooling experience. We can help you save this winter with the latest, most efficient technology. We can also give you more advice to help you save and keep your heater working well. For help from our knowledgeable professionals, call us at 903-285-6550.
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