Your house is likely among your most cherished investments. It helps you financially through equity-building, and it’s an area to enjoy with your family and develop memories, too. When it’s cold, you may also be dealing with higher energy expenses.
As a consequence, finding ways to lower your heating bill in Miami without giving up comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
When it comes to energy efficiency, houses are similar to vehicles. Some guzzle energy while others use it gradually. Regardless of what sort of house you live in, there are ways to stop the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to keep you toasty without going over budget.
1. Get a New Your Air Filter
It’s the most economical recommendation out there. It’s also the best method to keep your heating system functioning properly through the winter.
The type of filter and seasonal determinants contribute to how frequently you should replace it. Increased allergen counts, pets and house size may also impact its longevity. Generally, low-priced filters should be changed every month. Pleated styles made with denser material may work for three months or longer.
“It’s really the major thing homeowners forget about,” 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 be filtered through it and actually add warmth to the house. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder.”
2. Schedule Regular HVAC Service
It’s normal to have a technician come to your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is prepped for the warm weather.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other procedures, an inspection typically involves:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal parts
- Inspecting system shutdown and startup processes
Maintenance helps lower the possibility of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with normal service.
3. Inspect Windows and Doors for Cracks
Windows and doors are a central entry point for cold air. Insulating window and door frames is an practical approach to help keep cold air outside.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes recommends.
Latch a door. Do you notice any light? If so, it’s not totally sealed. Changes or weather-stripping might be needed.
If your house has single-pane windows, you should think about a dual-pane option.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic film.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping cool air outside.
When you switch to double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or higher.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan while cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it going for too long.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t let it to work after your clothes are done.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels heated air outside and pulls in cold air. Using these appliances continuously will make your HVAC system to run more often to battle the unnecessary chill.
5. Check Your Home’s Edges for Leaks
Inspect your house’s building envelope. This is the boundary that shields your house from the weather. If you have a basement, look for moving cobwebs or cold coming in around the edges.
Polyurethane sealers and other solutions can be bought to mend basement walls allowing air into your house. Another cost-effective move is to add foam seals for fixture bases, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re fast to put in and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes suggests visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to find the recommended R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This suggestion is formulated on the geographic location where you live.
7. Think About Our Advantage Program™
Winter may be rough for homeowners with underperforming units.
If your furnace is failing or requiring major fixes, there’s a fair chance you’re not prepared to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we offer our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent pricey fixes through a modest monthly fee.
We’ll also hook up an energy-saving system in your residence. Plus our Expert techs will overhaul and maintain it for you without any extra out-of-pocket fee
Book an Appointment with Us Today
Make your Miami home more energy efficient with professional support from Service Experts.
For more information about our Advantage Program or to request an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 305-440-1505 or contact us online now.