Winterize Your Home for the Winter
Winter is coming. (Signal Game of Thrones theme.) While you shouldn’t have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still crucial to make sure your home is all set for the cold. Here are a few tips from Air Engineers Service Experts to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You shouldn’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Verify your air returns (the bigger vents) are not obstructed and that air can flow easily into them. Your cold air returns are needed to help your heating equipment run efficiently.
Upgrade Your Windows
Windows are a usual way that heat can leak out your home, so consider updating old or inefficient windows to help retain heat inside during the cold months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With allergy and cold season nearing, you want to verify you’re doing all you can to keep your family healthy. For the health of your indoor air, make sure you’re replacing your furnace or duct air filter every three months. This will also help your furnace run more efficiently and save you energy, which means decreasing your heating bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your heating equipment is older than ten years, it’s most likely not nearly as energy-efficient as upgraded equipment. Before the winter hits and you’re stuck with a malfunctioning furnace or high utility bills, discuss replacing your system.
Invest in a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not make sense when you hear it, but more humidity, especially in northern climates, can make your home’s air feel warmer than it is. Add the other benefits of decreasing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier may be the ultimate addition to your heating system.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
We can’t say it enough – a programmable thermostat decreases your energy use and bills no matter what season it is. A programmable thermostat will let you turn down your home temperature while you are at work to help lower heating costs, and raise the temperature before you even arrive home to provide the perfect amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the ideal amount of attic insulation helps trap heat in your home during the winter, decreasing your energy usage because your heater doesn’t have to operate as much, and therefore saves you money by decreasing your energy bills. Check with your local utility companies about rebates on installing or upgrading your home’s insulation.
Wrap Plumbing
Insulating your hot water pipes can actually help boost the temperature two or three degrees. Hotter water on a lower setting? That lowers your energy use and bills – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Be sure your heating system is ready to keep your home warm and comfy all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Air Engineers . Currently we are giving discounts on our seasonal tune ups to help make sure you stay warm and safe through the cold months. Call 904-450-5672 today to schedule your Precision tune-up or set up a free in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient HVAC system.
