Are you looking for ways to make your home more energy efficient and save money on your heating bills?
Look no further! Here are some simple but effective heating hacks that can help you reduce your home’s energy usage and lower those bills.
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1. Focus on Your Furnace
In order to get the most out of your energy efficiency efforts, it is important that you take care of your furnace properly.
A well-maintained furnace can last up to 20 years or more, while an unmaintained one may need repair or replacement within just five years.
It’s a good idea to schedule an annual inspection for your furnace with a certified HVAC technician.
They will check for any issues that can decrease the efficiency of your furnace, conduct any necessary furnace repair, as well as make sure all safety components are functioning correctly.
Of course, there are some repairs that you may be able to do yourself (such as checking the thermostat or cleaning filters), yet many of these jobs require professional and maintenance services from an experienced HVAC technician.
But back to what you can do!
To ensure that your system is functioning optimally year-round, change the filters regularly.
Dirty air filters can block heated air, leading to decreased efficiency of your furnace.
Ideally, you should clean or replace your furnace filter every 1-3 months to keep it in tip-top shape and ensure it’s working properly and at maximum efficiency.
In addition, keep an eye out for any strange sounds, smells, and performance issues with your furnace.
If anything seems off, contact a certified HVAC technician right away to avoid potential major problems down the line.
2. Make the Most of Insulation
Adding insulation to walls, attics, and crawl spaces is a great way to keep warm air inside during winter and cool air during summer – reducing energy costs by up to 20%.
You can also hang blinds or curtains on all windows during the winter months (particularly south-facing ones) to absorb heat during the day and keep it inside during the night.
However, there’s no point generating extra warmth if it’s just going to escape, so be sure to check for air leaks around windows, doors, and any other places where air may be getting out from your home.
Sealing these gaps with weather stripping can help you reduce energy costs.
Also, make sure you keep all your doors and vents clear, and free of furniture or anything else that could block them as this will prevent the heated air from circulating properly throughout your home.
Additionally, keep interior doors open when possible so the heat can move between rooms more effectively.
3. Embrace Technology
Replacing an old thermostat with a smarter, programmable one is a great way to increase efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Programmable thermostats give you the ability to set temperatures throughout the day or week so you don’t have to heat empty rooms while away from home – saving up to 10% on heating costs!
Of course, not everything needs to be top of the line: you could also rely on good old-fashioned tools like a fan.
Reverse your ceiling fan direction to a clockwise rotation during the winter months – this will push warm air back down towards you, allowing you to lower your thermostat by 2-3 degrees without sacrificing comfort.
In Conclusion
By following these tips, you can ensure that your home is running at maximum efficiency – saving you money and energy in the long ru
