5 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill

Climate control in your home is one of the biggest factors on your energy costs. Staying cool in the summer is expensive, but so is staying warm during the winter. If you are tired of paying big utility bills during the colder months of the year, there are ways to reduce your heating costs. Here are five tips to stay warm without paying a fortune on your heating bills each month.

  1. Use your programmable thermostat. Maximize when you heat your home and when you can lower the temperature with a programmable thermostat. Utilize the program features to set a lower temperature during hours no one is at home to reduce heating costs.
  2. Minimize heat loss. Insulating your home and reducing heat loss can save money. Shut doors to rooms not in use; close vents or shut off these zones to stop heating unused rooms. Using window treatments or updating to insulated windows can also help reduce heat loss.
  3. Keep your temperatures moderate. Set your thermostat for 68 degrees when you are home to manage your heating costs. Add couch blankets and warm slippers to stay cozy instead of raising the indoor temperature.
  4. Keep up with furnace maintenance. Servicing your furnace or heat pump can ensure it is working properly and efficiently. Make sure to have annual tune-ups for your system.
  5. Get an efficiency analysis. Not sure if your furnace or heat pump is working efficiently? Have your HVAC pro complete an efficiency analysis on your system. There may be ways to improve your efficiency and lower your heating bills.

Stay warm without paying big heating bills. Maintain your HVAC system and use smart methods to manage your heating to keep your energy costs low during the winter.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Keeping Heating Costs Low During the Winter

The pendulum swings from summer to winter, especially when it comes to climate control costs. Summertime is all about lowering cooling costs by keeping out heat from outside; winter is just the opposite. Just like shading your home from the hot sun can lower your cooling costs, there are ways to manage heating costs during the winter. Here are a few tips to lower your heating bill this winter.

Use Your Thermostat Wisely

Programmable thermostats can be one of the most valuable tools for managing energy costs. Turn down the heat during times when no one is home and when you are asleep. This can make a significant difference in your heating costs.

Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are not just for cooling; they also can push warm air down to help with heating costs. Make sure your ceilings fans are on “winter mode” to keep air flowing downward when the heat is on. You can notice an almost immediate difference in the temperature of the room when ceiling fans are used correctly.

Add Blankets and Layers

You do not need to run around your home in shorts and bare feet. You can dress in more layers and add blankets to beds and couches for warmth instead of turning up the heat.

Let the Sun In

If you have shades to keep sun out in the summer, open them up and let that sunshine warm your home in the winter. Rooms with afternoon sun can be easier to heat if the sun is allowed in.

Just following these few tips can make a difference in your heating costs. Make sure your furnace is maintained and working efficiently – schedule a tune-up and keep air filters clean to help lower heating costs this winter.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

Be Prepared For Winter Carbon Monoxide Problems

Every year, an estimated 20,000-30,000 people are made ill from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., with hundreds killed on an annual basis from this deadly gas. Many of these victims succumb to the poisoning within in their own homes due to air contamination from fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces. To protect your family from this harmful gas, it is important to have a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home, along with keeping your gas furnace maintained. 

Carbon Monoxide: Odorless, Colorless Killer

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, charcoal or propane. Since it is undetectable by the human senses, it can quickly fill a home to poisonous levels without any warning. It only takes a few minutes for a person, especially a small child, to breathe in deadly amounts of this dangerous gas. 

The best protection for a home which uses any type of carbon-based fuel for heat is a carbon monoxide detector. With winter on its way, now is the time to make sure your home is equipped with one of these life-saving devices. An HVAC contractor can properly install a new detector in your home. However, if you already have a detector, you need to ensure it’s still working by having it tested. 

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, you should also have an annual inspection and tune-up performed by a trained HVAC contractor. When gas furnaces are functioning properly, there shouldn’t be any danger of carbon monoxide fumes in your home from their use. It is worth an ounce of prevention to keep your family safe and warm this winter.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

Get Your Furnace Started Now

Too many times homeowners will wait until the first cold day of the winter season to fire up their furnace, only to find that, over the summer, a problem has developed within their furnace. It maybe something simple, or a major issue, but this still leaves them waiting for the attention of a local HVAC technician on the same day when dozens of other customers have discovered a problem. A better plan is to start your furnace now, giving you time to complete any necessary maintenance or repairs before that first cold snap. 

Getting Your Furnace Ready For Winter

There are a few maintenance items to consider before you start up your furnace for the first time. One item that may need replacing or cleaning is your filter. A dirty filter will cause your furnace to work less efficiently, which will put extra stress on the entire unit. Once you check the filter, also check to make sure the water line is turned on to your humidifier. Some units may come with a switch to  change the unit to winter mode. 

Once everything is in place, turn on your furnace and let it run for 15-20 minutes. Make sure it’s heating properly, while listening for any strange sounds from the unit. This is the best time to identify any possible problems, with plenty of time to have the unit serviced or repaired before the colder weather hits. 

In addition to starting your furnace, also check the batteries in your carbon dioxide detector and smoke alarms, ensuring they are ready to protect your family in case of a fire or gas leak. With a little preparation, your furnace and home will be ready to keep you warm and safe all winter.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC