Comfortable indoor climates don’t necessarily have to come at a high price. With wintertime coming, homeowners in Oak Harbor, WA, expect their utility costs to jump significantly as they run their heaters at max capacity for most of the day. But that’s simply not reality. You can easily keep heating costs relatively low without losing a thumb to the freezing cold temperatures. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Lower Your Thermostat Setting
Lower your thermostat settings to reduce your air conditioner’s runtime. According to experts, dropping your thermostat setting by 1 degree can save you 1% on your heating costs every eight hours. Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature possible during nighttime while you’re asleep to save as much as 13% on heating costs overnight. To make it easier to regulate indoor temperatures, use a programmable thermostat. If you are using an outdated thermostat, consider investing in a new one to get all the energy-saving features available.
Dress for the Weather
Just as you wear shorts and loose clothing during the sweltering summertime, you should wear warm clothing during the wintertime. If you don’t have a cozy sweater or long pants, you can stay warm by wearing layers instead. It’s also not a good idea to walk barefoot around your home, especially if your floors aren’t carpeted. Wear thick socks or slippers to keep your feet warm. When choosing clothing material, cotton is an efficient insulator, but nothing beats wool for warmth during the winter.
Invest in a Humidifier
Dehumidifiers are a must-have during summertime. But come wintertime, you’ll need that humidity since the air coming from outside and the air being produced by your furnace is dry. This dry air that circulates around your home traps the remaining moisture. A humidifier does not just improve your health by keeping your skin free from the irritable dry air; it also helps with energy conservation and home preservation. Dry air can cause damage to your doors, crown molding, furniture, and other wooden items because of moisture loss.
Clean Your Vents and Radiators
Vents and radiators are responsible for circulating air around different rooms in your household. If either of these compartments is obstructed by large accumulations of dirt and debris or bulky furniture pieces, your HVAC system will have a difficult time moving warm air around your home. Keeping your vents and radiators clean and clear of debris helps put less strain on your HVAC system, which also prolongs its lifespan and minimizes the need for repairs and replacements.
Use Your Windows Strategically
As much as 25% of your home’s heat loss can be traced back to an open window or window gaps. To limit heat loss coming from the windows, plan ahead and know when to open and close these apertures based on time of day and their location. For instance, only open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows during the daytime to let sunlight enter your home. During the nighttime, curtains and blinds should be closed to further insulate the inside of your home against the cold window glass.
Insulate Your Home
Perhaps the most common way that homeowners in Washington deal with the cold is through increased insulation. This helps to keep the warm air from escaping outside and the cold air from seeping inside. Home insulation not only helps with temperature regulation, but you can also deduct it under home improvement when you file taxes. The exact cost of home insulation projects varies based predominantly on how much and what type of material you need.
Get Your HVAC System Checked Out
Every change in season should be accompanied by a comprehensive tune-up from a professional HVAC company like Island Heating & Air Conditioning. A professional HVAC technician can determine the condition of your heating and cooling systems, including the air filters, ducts and vents, evaporator and condenser coils, and more. They can also measure indoor air quality, which also affects how efficiently your HVAC system and its varied parts operate.
Island Heating & Air Conditioning is a leading provider of quality heating, cooling, and ventilation products and services in the Washington state area. We offer 24/7 emergency services and fast and affordable installation, maintenance, and repair of most HVAC unit models available on the market. Give us a call today to learn more about our products and services!
Tags: Heating Bills, heating maintenanceTags: Heating
September 15, 2021 6:38 pm
