5 Tips To Save $$$ When Cool Weather Arrives

With cooler weather starting to arrive it is a reminder that Fall will soon be upon us.  Prepping your home for winter now can go a long way toward saving you money and increasing your home’s comfort when those cold winds blow.

Is Your Home Properly Insulated?
Homes built more recently should have the proper amount of insulation in the attic, floors and walls.  Older homes, though, may need to be checked to see if they have adequate insulation.  Adding insulation to recommended levels throughout your home will provide the greatest benefit in reducing your heating bill and improving your home’s comfort.

Determining if you have enough insulation takes some checking and reviewing the information the Department of Energy provides at Insulation Guidelines.

There are other areas where adding insulation can help.

• Insulate your hot water tank with an insulating blanket, especially if it is in an unheated part of your home like your garage.

• Insulate exterior outlets and switch plates with inexpensive foam sealing gaskets.

• If you don’t use your fireplace often and it leaks air, cut a piece of fiberglass insulation and stuff it into the fireplace behind your glass doors to block the cold air coming down the chimney. Don’t forget to remove the insulation when you make a fire.

Stop Drafts and Lost Heat
If you have storm windows and doors install them. To block any potential entry points for cold air add or replace worn weather stripping around the doors and windows and caulk any gaps.  If any pipes or ducts travel through an exterior wall, be sure to use caulking and weather-stripping around all entry points.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Many ceiling fans have a reverse switch that lets you run the fan’s blades in a clockwise direction.  This creates an updraft that pushes warm air near the ceiling back down into your living space.

This is especially helpful in rooms with high ceilings.  In some instances you may be able to turn down your thermostat a degree or two for greater energy savings.

Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust your home’s temperature throughout the day based on when you are home.  Program your thermostat to a lower temperature during weekdays when the family is at work and school. Then have the furnace kick on prior to your return to your normal setting.

Lowering temperatures at night when everyone is in bed can also be programmed on a reoccurring basis.  For every degree you lower your thermostat during the cooler months, a family can save 1-3% on their heating bill.

Make Sure Your Heating System Is Working Properly
Prior to when you actually need your furnace to run, you’ll want to check that everything is functioning well. Turn the thermostat to heat mode and set it to 80 degrees.  You should hear the furnace turn on and warm air should blow within a few minutes.  If it’s running OK, turn the thermostat back to its normal setting.

If you suspect something is not running smoothly, it is recommended you contact a qualified service technician.  This technician will inspect your furnace or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and in good repair, and that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency. The inspection also measures carbon-monoxide leakage.

Have Questions?
If you have questions on how to prepare for the cooler months ahead, give us a call at 765-447-7555.  We’ll be happy to help.