Your home is usually among your most precious investments. It assists you financially through improving equity, and it’s a space to enjoy with your family and make moments you’ll remember, too. This time of year, you may also be dealing with growing utility costs.
As a consequence, finding approaches to lower your heating bill in Hilton Head Island without lowering comfort can feel difficult.
When it comes to energy efficiency, residences resemble vehicles. Some consume a lot of energy while others use it slowly. Regardless of what kind of home you have, there are steps to stop the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to keep you comfortable without driving up your energy bill.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most inexpensive recommendation that exists. It’s also the best method to keep your furnace operating optimally during the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal factors influence how regularly you should get a new one. High allergen counts, pets and residence size might also impact its durability. Typically, fiberglass filters should be replaced every month. Pleated ones made with denser material might work for three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing people overlook,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more loaded up the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually add warmth to the home. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder.”
2. Schedule Annual HVAC Service
It’s common to have a tech come by your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is ready for the warm weather.
But don’t overlook scheduling an appointment for furnace service before the winter too.
Among other steps, an inspection commonly covers:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and greasing internal parts
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup processes
A tune-up helps decrease the probability of facing an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with standard service.
3. Check Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a central entry point for frigid air. Caulking window and door frames is an economical method to help keep frigid air where it belongs.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes suggests.
Latch a door. Is any light visible? If that’s the case, it’s not fully sealed. Adjustments or weather-stripping might be required.
If your residence has single-pane windows, you should think over a dual-pane improvement.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad option, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping chilled air outside.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it going for an extended period of time.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t allow it to operate after your clothes are done.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan pulls out hot air away from your home and pulls in cold air. Operating these appliances continuously will make your HVAC system to run more often to manage the preventable chill.
5. Check Your Home’s Edges for Holes
Examine your house’s exterior. This is the boundary that separates your home from the outdoors. If you have a basement, be on the lookout for fluttering cobwebs or cold flowing in near the edges.
Polyurethane products and other options can be bought to mend basement walls leaking air into your house. Another affordable move is to add foam seals for fixture bottoms, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re simple to use and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Measure Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes advises looking at the ENERGY STAR® zone map to determine the appropriate R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This suggestion is formulated on the geographic location where you live.
7. Sign Up for Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be trying for homeowners with aging equipment.
If your furnace is not working right or in need of expensive repair, there’s a fair chance you’re not prepared to spend thousands on an updated system.
That’s why we provide our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you bypass expensive repairs through a small monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-saving system in your house. Plus our professional technicians will repair and tune it up for you without any extra out-of-pocket expense
Request an Appointment with Us Today
Make your Hilton Head Island house more energy efficient with expert support from Service Experts.
For more information about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 843-619-3781 or contact us online right away.