Energy-Saving Tips for the Winter Chill

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

Keep your bills down this winter with these energy saving tips!

The winter's chill is approaching fast, so now is the time to take precautions and lower electricity bills by creating an energy-efficient atmosphere. By making simple changes to everyday habits, your home will be toasty while frosty air remains outdoors.

• Ensure the thermostat, HVAC, fireplaces, and heaters are working properly. Clean or replace air filters, remove dust and dirt from the unit, get fresh wood and coal for the fireplace, and/or ensure buttons/switches are functioning. Repair broken parts or replace non-functioning heating systems. Follow manufacturer's instructions for proper use. Continue to clean/replace air filters monthly. For heaters and HVAC's, let it run before the first official use to remove carbon monoxide odors.

• Set the thermostat and heater at one temperature all season. A good temperature is 70 degrees. Alternatively, invest in a programmable unit.

• Insulate the home with weather stripping, plastic sheeting, and caulk. Wrap this around all entry doors, screen doors, and windows in the home and garage. Insulate the attic, basements, and crawl spaces too. This prevents air leaks from seeping in and keeping the home drafty and cold, even when heaters, fireplaces, thermostats, and HVAC are firing at maximum speed.

• Let the sunshine in on sunny days, particularly around the afternoon. The heat will warm the house to reduce dependence on heating items. Close the curtains after the sun goes down, however. An open window after sunset invites unwanted cold air in the home.

• During nightfall, reduce heater, fireplace, HVAC, and thermostat dependence and rely on comforters, sheets, blankets, and pajamas to warm you up. Turn off fireplaces, heaters, and HVAC's in unused rooms. Close the fireplace damper to conserve energy.

• Ceiling fans are a great way to stop heat from rising. Simply set the ceiling fan to turn clockwise on low speed. The warm air will circulate the rising heat down to the floor to reduce dependence on heating products. Continued use of ceiling fans means heat will travel to other occupied areas of the home.

A toasty home in the wintertime sounds wonderful. Turn this dream into reality through proactive measures like the information above. Let SERVPRO of Waycross / Hinesville / Douglas assist in proactive measures to avoid safety hazards this winter.