The numbers were all bad for American home and business owners last winter. Unseasonably low temperatures lingered for most of the Northeast, Midwest, and even the Southeast for many months. As a result, most folks were forced to use their HVAC systems more last winter than at any time in recent memory. With home heating costs as expensive as ever and extreme weather the new normal, customers could spend hundreds of dollars more on warming their abodes in the foreseeable future. The only way to escape this unprecedented predicament with your wallet or pocketbook intact is to follow these simple heating repair tips.
Turn Down The Thermostat
We’re not saying you should set it much below room temperature (68°F), but you should know that each degree under that can save you about 3% on your energy costs. So, if you turn the thermostat down to 65°F, you’ll save an average of 9 percent on your bill. At the very least, you should turn the thermostat down when you go to work, or when you know you’ll be out for awhile.
Close Fireplace Damper/Use Balloon
The average wood-burning fireplace can save you big bucks when used to warm your home during the winter months. However, you must remember to close the damper, or the cold air will find its way inside. Even so, some warm air will escape. If you want to seal your chimney like a drum, an inflatable chimney balloon should do the trick. Available at most home improvement centers, this simple, inexpensive solution should pay for itself in no time.
Lower The Water Heater
According to most HVAC professionals, turning down the temperature of the water heater from 120 to 115 degrees reduces power usage without any appreciable difference in water temperature. After all, how many folks need a 120-degree shower?
Replace Weather Stripping
The average home loses over 10 percent of its warmth right through the windows. A common culprit, worn-out weather stripping creates a poor seal between the window and the frame, causing leaks that let warm air out. These leaks also, inevitably, let cool air in. The cost to the homeowner can often be measured in hundreds of dollars in wasted energy each winter. Replacing bad weather stripping is a cheap, effective fix any homeowner can handle.
Heating Repair
Like every other machine, HVAC equipment inevitably becomes less efficient through regular use. Whether we’re talking about the heat pump, furnace, or boiler, regular maintenance is needed to keep these units in tip-top shape. Although some tasks can be completed by the homeowner, it is best to have an HVAC professional check your equipment at least once a year. If replacement or heating repair are needed, we strongly suggest that you follow the expert’s advice. Failure to do so could cost you a king’s ransom in energy bills during the cold months.
These simple tips should help you save a tidy sum on your home heating costs, no matter the weather.
