Winter is coming. (Cue Game of Thrones theme.) While you may not have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still important to make sure your home is good to go for the cold. Here are a few tips from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You won’t need cold air returns in the winter right? Wrong. Make sure your air returns (the bigger vents) are not obstructed and that air can easily flow through them. Your cold air returns are needed to help your heating equipment run efficiently.
Replace Your Windows
Windows are a common way that heat can seep out your home, so contemplate updating old or inefficient windows to help retain heat inside during the winter months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With sick season coming soon, you want to make sure you’re doing anything you can to keep your family in good health. For the well-being of your indoor air, make sure you’re replacing your furnace or duct air filter every few months. This will also help your furnace run more efficiently and save you energy, which means lowering your utility bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your system is older than ten years, it’s almost certainly not nearly as energy-efficient as updated furnaces. Before the cooler temperature hits and you’re stuck with a failing furnace or high energy bills, discuss investing in an upgraded system.
Buy a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not make sense when you hear it, but more humidity, more so in northern climates, can result in your home’s air feeling warmer than it is. Joined with the other benefits of decreasing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier may be the perfect addition to your heat and air system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – a programmable thermostat decreases your energy use and bills no matter what temperature it is. A programmable thermostat will allow you to turn down your home temperature while you are at work to help decrease heating costs, and increase the temperature before you even make it home to give you the perfect amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the correct amount of attic insulation helps retain heat during the winter, lowering your energy use because your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard, and therefore saves you money on heating bill. Check with your local utility companies about rebates for upgrading or installing your attic insulation.
Insulate Plumbing
Insulating your hot water pipes can actually help raise the temperature a few degrees. Hot water on a lower setting? That saves you energy and money – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Verify your furnace is ready to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Service Experts. Right now we are providing discounts on our fall tune ups to help make sure your family stays warm and safe all winter long. Call 901-235-1196 today to schedule your heating tune-up or set up a complimentary in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating and cooling system.