Your residence is likely at the top of the list of your most treasured investments. It assists you financially through building equity, and it’s a space to raise your family and make moments you’ll remember, too. During the winter, you might also be experiencing growing utility bills.
Consequently, finding tactics to lower your heating bill in Edmonton without lowering comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
As far as energy efficiency, houses are similar to cars. Some consume a lot of energy while others use it steadily. Regardless of what kind of residence you live in, there are ways to halt the chill this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to help you stay warm without going over budget.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective suggestion there is. It’s also the best approach to keep your heating system operating properly through the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal factors contribute to how often you should replace it. Soaring allergen counts, pets and house size can also impact its durability. Generally, low-priced filters should be changed each month. Pleated ones made with better material could make it three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing people overlook,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more loaded up the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually heat the residence. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder.”
2. Schedule Routine HVAC Service
It’s normal to have an Expert come by your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is ready for the summer.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other procedures, an inspection typically includes:
- Checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and greasing internal components
- Taking a look at system shutdown and startup controls
Maintenance helps lessen the probability of facing an emergency repair in the middle of winter. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with standard maintenance.
3. Inspect Windows and Doors for Leaks
Windows and doors are a central entry point for cold air. Insulating window and door frames is an practical method to help keep chilly air where it belongs.
Here’s one test that Hughes advises.
Latch a door. Can you see any light? If that’s the case, it’s not totally sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping could be necessary.
If your house has single-pane windows, you might want to think about a dual-pane option.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad move, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping cold air out.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or higher.
4. Restrict Use of Vented Appliances
If you use the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it on for a long time.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t permit it to work after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan forces out heated air away from your home and increases cold air. Operating these appliances continuously will make your HVAC system to work harder to take care of the preventable cold.
5. Check Your Residence’s Edges for Holes
Inspect your house’s perimeter. This is the area that protects your house from the outdoors. If there’s a basement, look for blowing cobwebs or cold trickling in around the corners.
Polyurethane sealers and other solutions can be purchased to mend basement walls letting air into your home. Another affordable move is to invest foam seals for fixture undersides, for example ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re quick to install and are fantastic at keeping the cold air out in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes recommends checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to determine the recommended R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This value is formulated on the geographic area where you’re located.
7. Sign Up for Our Advantage Program™
Winter might be trying for homeowners with inefficient systems.
If your furnace is going out or needing expensive repair, there’s a reasonable chance you’re not ready to spend thousands on an updated system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent costly service calls through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also install an energy-efficient system in your residence. Plus our professional specialists will repair and service it for you without any additional out-of-pocket fee
Schedule an Appointment with Us Right Away
Make your Edmonton house more energy efficient with professional help from Service Experts.
For more specifics about our Advantage Program or to schedule an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 780-800-7092 or contact us online now.