As the cold winter weather sets in, many of us spend more time at home with family. As your heating bill rises, it’s common to look for ways to reduce it. By following our tips on winterizing your home, you can help increase the efficiency of your heating system and reduce your energy bills.
Home Energy Audit
A great way to start winterizing your home is to have a professional home energy audit. This service helps identify where you’re losing conditioned air and how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency. At GVEC Air Conditioning & Heating, we offer a free home energy audit to help you save on monthly bills and possibly extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Seal Up Doors and Windows
One of the best things you can do to help prevent outside air from penetrating your home is to seal up any air leaks. These are common around door and window frames, outlets, and light switches on your exterior walls. It’s best to use caulking or weatherstripping to seal off these areas. For outlets and light switches, you can typically purchase foam insert pads from your local hardware store that will restrict airflow.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans make a great addition to any home to help better control the interior temperature throughout the year. You’ll want your fans to spin in reverse during the winter months. Because heat rises, this will help to circulate air at the top of the room outward and back down to the floor. Reusing this heat allows you to run your heating system less often while still being comfortable in your home.
Insulate
Insulation can have a significant impact on the overall energy efficiency of your home. You’ll want to choose an insulation with an R-value that equals or is higher than the recommended value for our area. This depends on the area in the home and can be as high as R-60 for some attics or as low as R-10 for basement walls. The higher the R-value, the more resistant the insulation is to temperature changes. Be sure to inspect your insulation each year and add more when necessary.
Apart from insulating your exterior walls and attic, insulation can also benefit your plumbing system. Opt for insulating your hot water supply lines with sleeve insulation. Also, consider adding an insulating jacket to your water heater to help it operate more efficiently throughout winter.
Program Your Thermostat
Having a programmable or smart thermostat can be highly advantageous for any homeowner. This device will allow you to program different temperature settings depending on the time of the day and the day of the week. This means you can turn down the temperature when you know you won’t be home or everyone is sleeping to help save money on your energy bills. Most smart thermostats give you the added advantage of altering your thermostat settings with an app on your smartphone or other mobile device. This can be great for when plans change and you need to alter the temperature in your home.
Get HVAC Maintenance Service
Another must when preparing your home for the winter is to get regular HVAC maintenance service. The service helps to detect any potential problems with your heating system and ensures that it’s operating at its peak efficiency level. When you know your heating system is efficient, you can have peace of mind that you’re not wasting any of your hard-earned money on excessive energy bills. Our HVAC Spec Service Plans make it easy not to forget to schedule and comes with added perks.
Keep Up With Regular Air Filter Changes
Your heating system will have a built-in air filter to trap unwanted airborne particles. This not only helps to protect your system’s internal components from excess debris but also increases the quality of air inside your home. If you don’t keep up with regular filter changes, it can greatly reduce the overall operating efficiency of your heating system and could also decrease its lifespan. You should check the filter at least once a month and replace it whenever necessary. Most homeowners need to replace their HVAC filter every two to three months.
Consider Duct Sealing and Cleaning Services
It’s recommended to have your air ducts cleaned and resealed every three to five years. This will help remove any built-up debris inside your ducting that could restrict airflow and overall operating efficiency. Our ductwork services can close gaps or leaks within your ducting that allow your hot air to escape before reaching your home’s rooms.
Professional Home Energy Audit Service
GVEC Air Conditioning & Heating offers free professional home energy audit services to Gonzales, TX, and throughout South-Central Texas. We can also help with all your heating, air conditioning, commercial HVAC, emergency repair, ductwork, indoor air quality, and service plan needs. Call our office today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our knowledgeable technicians.
