Attention Homeowners: Save on Heating Costs this Fall and Winter
With the temperatures falling, your heating bills are inevitably going to go up. As a homeowner there is a lot that you can do to keep those costs from getting out of control. It really comes down to making sure that your home is energy efficient in all areas.
Use Solar Power
Even if you don’t have solar panels installed at your home, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take advantage of some solar power. Simply leave your curtains open during the day to take advantage of the sun.
Make Sure the Chimney is Closed
You certainly wouldn’t leave your windows open in the late fall and winter, because all of the warm air would escape and you’d get cold air rushing in.
Did you know that that is exactly what happens when you leave the damper open in your chimney when you’re not using your fireplace? Make sure that it is shut tight. You can also put in a chimney pillow, which will stop warm air from traveling up and out.
Make an Appointment for Furnace Maintenance
You count on your furnace to be running in top shape to be as energy efficient as possible. Remember that your furnace operates by converting energy to heat. You need to call in a professional to make sure that all the various parts of your furnace are working together in sync.
Window Inspection
Leaky seals around your windows can cause a lot of heat to escape. Fix any cracks with a quick run of your caulking gun. Another good idea is to insulate your windows with plastic film. You attach it to the window frame and use a hair dryer to heat and shrink fit against the window, while pressing out any wrinkles.
The Power of the Fan
Hot air rises, so if you leave your ceiling fan on, but in reverse, it will automatically grab that air and push it back downwards. It’s very effective and uses very little energy to run.
Don’t leave kitchen and bathroom fans running for long periods though. They actually suck warm air out of the room fairly quickly.
Threshold
If there is a gap between your exterior door and your threshold, you can fix that by installing an adjustable threshold. Another method (although less effective) is to put a draft snake (a fabric tube) against the door where the gap is. You can even make one yourself with a piece of fabric and dried rice.
We’ve got years of experience helping our clients cut heating costs by installing energy efficient heating systems. Call Griesemer Plumbing & Mechanical Service, in Greenwood, IN, today to find out what your options are at (317)-881-9536.
