Your residence is probably at the top of the list of your most cherished investments. It supports you financially through increasing equity, and it’s a space to raise your family and develop memorable moments, too. This time of year, you might also be experiencing growing gas expenses.
Consequently, finding methods to lower your heating bill in Dallas without lowering comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
In regard to energy efficiency, homes are like cars. Some require a lot of energy while others sip it gradually. Regardless of what kind of home you have, there are steps to end the chill this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to help your family stay comfy without breaking the bank.
1. Replace Your Your Air Filter
It’s the most inexpensive recommendation that exists. It’s also the best way to keep your heating system running properly through the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal determinants influence how regularly you should replace it. Soaring allergen counts, pets and home size can also influence its longevity. Typically, cheap filters should be changed each month. Pleated styles made with denser material could make it three months or longer.
“It’s really the major thing homeowners ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more full the filter is, the less air is able to move through it and actually heat the house. An overloaded filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Annual HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a tech come to your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is ready for the warm weather.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other procedures, an inspection commonly involves:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal parts
- Inspecting system shutdown and startup procedures
A tune-up helps lessen the likelihood of facing an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been avoided with routine tune-ups.
3. Inspect Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a central entry point for cold air. Caulking window and door frames is an inexpensive way to help keep frigid air out.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes advises.
Close a door. Is any light visible? If so, it’s not fully sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping may be required.
If your house has single-pane windows, you should think about a dual-pane upgrade.
Some homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad move, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping cold air where it belongs.
When you switch to double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you need the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it on for a long time.
The same holds true for the dryer. Don’t allow it to run after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels heated air outside and increases cold air. Using these appliances longer than needed will require your furnace to run more often to manage the preventable coldness.
5. Examine Your Residence’s Perimeter for Holes
Check your house’s exterior. This is the boundary that protects your home from the outside. If your home has a basement, look for moving cobwebs or cool air flowing in near the sides.
Polyurethane sealers and other things can be bought to plug basement walls allowing air into your residence. Another cost-effective tip is to invest foam seals for fixture undersides, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re easy to install and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth ensuring that you have appropriate insulation levels
Hughes recommends checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the appropriate R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This recommendation is based on the geographic spot where your home is.
7. Think About Our Advantage Program™
Winter may be tough for homeowners with underperforming systems.
If your furnace is not working right or needing major fixes, there’s a decent chance you’re not ready to spend thousands on a modern system.
That’s why we offer our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent pricey service calls through a modest monthly fee.
We’ll also hook up an energy-efficient system in your house. Plus our professional specialists will overhaul and maintain it for you without any added out-of-pocket cost
Request an Appointment with Us Now
Make your Dallas home more energy efficient with professional help from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 469-250-0932 or contact us online right away.