Tips to Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency in Winter
With winter on the way, you could be considering your energy bills with trepidation. The cold months often bring a rise in electricity or natural gas costs, depending on what fuel source you use to heat your home and hot water. But don’t fret—with an appropriate approach, you can regulate your winter energy efficiency and save a pile of cash. Here’s how to adjust your climate control system to keep your home comfortable without draining your finances.
Arrange Fall Furnace Maintenance
Your climate control system is like a car—it operates more efficiently when well-maintained. Scheduling annual preventative maintenance before winter arrives enhances your system’s operation and can save you up to 5% on energy costs. Beyond helping your HVAC equipment run more efficiently, this scheduled check can reveal any lurking issues. Identifying and repairing these concerns early prevents disruptions during the heating season and more costly repair bills mid-season.
Upgrade Your Old Furnace
If your furnace is more than 10 years old and having problems, it may be time for a new one. Outdated systems can be a considerable hit to your wallet, costing you more in energy and repairs than what you would save by replacing them. Replacing your furnace with a high-efficiency Energy Star®-certified system can minimize your energy costs by as much as 40%. Plus, you’ll enjoy a more consistently relaxing indoor environment when your heating system furnace meets today’s standards.
Fine-Tune Your Thermostat
Remember those sweltering summer days when you adjusted the thermostat to 78 degrees to save on cooling expenses? Well, that setting won’t help you in colder months. Make the most of your thermostat for the season by configuring it to 70 degrees or a lower temperature. Every degree you lower the temperature can save you as much as 3% on your energy costs.
Better yet, invest in a smart programmable thermostat you can set and not think about. These Wi-Fi-enabled devices permit you to control your home’s temperature from anywhere. The most advanced learning models make automatic adjustments according to your routines, helping you stay comfortable while saving power when you’re away or sleeping.
Replace the Air Filter
Your furnace air filter influences how efficiently your HVAC system functions. A dirty, blocked filter forces a heating and cooling system to work harder to circulate air, escalating energy consumption. To prevent this from happening, check the filter monthly and replace it every 1-3 months as an inexpensive and easy way to improve winter energy efficiency.
Evaluate Your Air Registers
The little details make a difference. Quickly dusting your supply and return registers eliminates hair, dirt and other barriers that impede airflow. Once clean, ensure your curtains, rugs and furniture don’t block the vents. Ensuring clear passage for warm air to circulate makes a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy usage this winter.
Remove Drafts in Your Home
Even minor drafts can put unnecessary strain on your home heating system. Perform a sweep of your home to identify and seal any air leaks. These are easiest to discover on cold, windy days that suck the heat out through gaps and cracks. Place weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows, and apply spray foam around plumbing, vents and wiring penetrations to prevent costly air leaks immediately.
Increase Insulation in Your Home
The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to an existing home. Additional insulation on the attic floor means less heat loss through the ceiling, making it easier for your home heating system to maintain a cozy temperature. But insulation isn’t only for your attic—you can also insulate pipes, ductwork and electrical outlets on exterior walls to improve energy efficiency.
Explore Zoning
If your home has more than one story or wings, you may gain advantages from installing a zoned HVAC system. This involves installing dampers in the ductwork and installing multiple thermostats that enable you to independently control the temperature in distinct sections of your home. You might heat the ground floor during the day and the upstairs bedrooms at night, which allows you to use less energy by only paying to heat specific areas of your home when you need them.
Choose a Humidifier
Winter air is notoriously dry. You may address this with multiple humidifiers throughout your residence, but there’s a superior way. Use a whole-house humidifier to work in coordination with your furnace. Moist air feels warmer than dry air, so a whole-house humidifier promotes a warmer interior without cranking up the thermostat.
Work with A1 Chesney Service Experts for Winter Prep in Calgary
If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s winter energy efficiency in Calgary, A1 Chesney Service Experts is available to help. Our certified technicians offer prompt, durable solutions to all your comfort challenges, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
If you’re not happy with our work, you can depend on us to make it right. Call 587-315-5271 today so the crew at A1 Chesney Service Experts can make a significant difference in your life and sense of comfort during the winter months.
