In a perfect world, autumn would bring majestic foliage, mild temperatures, and the smell of bonfires well into November. In reality, fall is notorious for its mix of extreme highs and lows, blustery winds, and the occasional freak snow storm.
Fall is also the time when the inevitable happens: you turn your heating system on for the first time. We know of some families that refuse, on principle, to turn theirs on until November 1 or some other pre-determined date – just because. On the other hand, some families crank up the heat as soon as the thermometer show a reading of 68 degrees or less.
Wherever you happen to be on the home heating spectrum, here’s one thing most people have in common: fear and loathing of your home heating bills, starting with the very first one.
But take heart, because if you’re serious about paying less, then follow these tips for heat loss reduction and watch your heating bills start dropping immediately thereafter:
Add layers.
No, we’re not talking about thick wool socks, warm sweaters, and cozy scarves, although any of those will keep you nice and toasty. Instead, we’re talking about adding warm area rugs to bare floors, thick or insulating window coverings, and insulation even in the un-likeliest of places, like inside your wall switches and sockets. And those don’t even make the list of air sealing trouble spots on Energy.gov.
Solarize.
Consider adding a skylight to take advantage of nature’s heat source. If that’s not an option, pull the drapes open during the day to allow the sun to flood your home. Just make sure to pull them closed at night to prevent the heat you’ve gained from escaping.
Clear the air.
Clean or replace air filters regularly, and make sure all heat vents and registers are free of dirt, dust, and debris. Then, remove any obstacles in their way, including window treatments, stray clothing, furniture, and more.
Turn on the fan, and turn down the heat.
A ceiling fan does more than keep you cool during the summer. When operated in reverse, it forces the warm air that typically sits near your ceiling down toward the center of your room. Then, you can lower your thermostat a degree or two and actually feel warmer.
Get with the program.
Replace your old thermostat to a programmable model that allows you to preset the temperature while you and your family are away from home. That way, you’re not wasting energy when no one’s home, but still return to warm and cozy surroundings, just the way you like it.
Here’s another helpful hint from Air Profs: if it’s been a year or more since your heating system was last professionally cleaned and inspected, the time to schedule service is now. Annual preventative maintenance helps your system run better, last longer, and all while putting a lid on rising utility costs. Contact us today for more information or to schedule service.