9 Tips to Boost Wintertime Home Energy Savings

If winter gives you the energy bill blues, there are several things you can do to maximize the warmth in your Concord home without breaking the bank. These nine tips will help get you started on wintertime home energy savings.

1. Schedule furnace maintenance. A yearly tune-up will increase system efficiency, lower your heating bills, help prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your equipment.

2. Install a programmable thermostat. Properly installed and programmed, a programmable thermostat can save you a considerable amount of money by maintaining lower settings at night and while you’re away.

3. Use your ceiling fans. Reverse the direction of the blades. Warm air rises, and the blades will distribute it evenly throughout your rooms, keeping you comfortable at lower thermostat settings.

4. Shore up your attic insulation. You should have 11 to 14 inches of R-38 insulation in your attic to prevent heat loss through your roof.

5. Seal and insulate ductwork. Seal loose joints with mastic duct sealant or metal tape. Check the integrity of the connections between the ducts, furnace and return and supply registers. Insulate ducts that run through unconditioned spaces.

6. Take advantage of the sun. Open your south facing window shades during the day to let solar heat gain warm your rooms and lower your energy bills.

7. Seal air leaks. Air leaks account for 20 to 40 percent of lost conditioned air in the typical home. Caulk around windows, doors, service entrances, pipes and vents that move through exterior walls to keep warm air in.

8. Inspect your furnace air filter monthly. When it’s clogged with debris, replace it with a clean filter to ensure optimum air flow, prevent dust from entering your system and improve your indoor air quality.

9. Keep obstructions away from your return and supply registers. Obstructions prevent the optimum flow of air to and from your system, prevent heat from reaching your rooms and make your furnace work harder to compensate.

For more expert tips on wintertime home energy savings, please feel free to contact us at All Temp Co., Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating.