As temperatures continue to dip, an energy efficient home that is comfortable indoors is just what you want for frosty winters. An energy efficient home is safe as well as comfortable round the clock, from hot summers to chilling winters. Here we’ll discuss how you can cut in your energy consumption and heating costs without sacrificing comfort by paying attention to some common home heating mistakes.
- Heating a Vacant Home: When’s there is nobody at home or you’re at work there’s no need to heat the home. It is recommended to use a programmable thermostat to set the temperature throughout the day. Dropping it 4 or more degrees while you’re gone more than an hour or so will help you to cut costs on your monthly energy bills. You can also program it to warm the home several minutes before you return if you’re away for several hours.
- Windows Left Unlocked: Closing your windows is not enough. Windows should be kept locked as well to avoid loss of energy. Proper locking of windows is important to insure the window is completely closed to prevent entry of cold air from outside and preventing warm air from furnace escaping.
- Exhaust Has Been Left On: Make sure to turn off the exhaust fan in the bathroom or kitchen. Exhaust fans are helpful in removing odors and moisture from your home. However, when not required, you wouldn’t want exhaust fans to draw the warm air out of your home. Turn off the exhaust fan when it’s not required.
- Cranking Up The Thermostat: There’s no shortcut to faster heating. Cranking the thermostat up higher will have no impact on the heating time. It will take take the usual time for the home to warm up. However, cranking up the thermostat past the desired temperature and forgotten can definitely make your furnace work harder and increase your energy bill.
- Check with Your Local Gas or Electric Service Provider: They may have government funds to offer for insulating your home at little or no charge to you. These programs are not available everywhere, and when the available funds are depleted for the season, the program is ended for that year.
- Don’t Keep An Old System Alive: if your heating and air conditioning system is eight to 10 years old, you should get a professional HVAC inspection to determine if you would be better off replacing it that repairing it. Often, a new high-efficiency unit can pay for itself in energy savings over a period of three to five years, depending on several factors. We offer free onsite estimates for new equipment.
Keep your home warm this winter by expert heating solution experts from Dallas Plumbing & Air Conditioning, a trusted name for plumbing, heating and air conditioning in Dallas since 1903. We work diligently with homeowners to provide them with exceptional heating solutions. Call us at 214-305-8811 or contact us to book an appointment.
