How to Keep Your Home Warm While Remaining Cost-Efficient
One of the most
challenging aspects of surviving winter here in the Sacramento, CA area is properly heating your home while not breaking the bank. If you have a gas furnace, it is likely inevitable that your gas bills are going to increase during the winter, but there are some strategies that you can employ in order to keep costs as low as possible.
These solutions
range from low-tech to extensive, and the HVAC experts here at Ace Plumbing are happy to share their tips on how to keep your house warm in winter while not paying an arm and a leg.
Cover Drafty Windows
When your windows let cold air into your home, your furnace has to be constantly pushing out hot air. A solution to this issue involves taping a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet to the inside of your window frames during the winter months. Make sure that the plastic is tightly sealed so that no cold air can get inside.
If you’re looking for a solution that is less intrusive, you can also consider installing tight-fitting insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty.
Take Advantage of the Sun
The sun can be a main source of free heat for your home if you know how to utilize its light properly. Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and then close them at night to reduce the chilly sensation that comes from cold windows.
Adjust the Temperature
One of the simplest ways to save money in the winter is by keeping the thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter. When you are out of the house, set the thermostat back 10 or 15 degrees for eight hours, which will save about 10 percent a year on your heating bills. If you want your house to be warmed up when you return,
one option is to have an HVAC company install a smart or programmable thermostat.
Reduce Heat Loss From Your Fireplace
If you home has a fireplace, it is a common culprit for winter heat loss. In order to prevent this, keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window open during the winter, as it allows hot air to go right up through the chimney. When you use the fireplace, lower the thermostat in your home and reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox. If you never use the fireplace during the winter, seal the chimney flue.
Install an Energy-Efficient Furnace
One of the best long-term solutions to save money on heating in the winter is to have a heating and air conditioning professional install an energy efficient furnace. Because gas furnaces have become more efficient over the years, if your furnace is old, it may be worth the extra up-front cost to have a new one installed.
Sacramento, CA HVAC Company
Now that winter is upon us, you’re likely looking for ways to keep your home warm while keeping your gas bill low. Whether you’d like to replace your old furnace with an energy-efficient one or simply need help keeping cold drafts out, our experienced and friendly professionals will work with you step by step.