Want to Save on Home Heating This Winter?

Although we live in one of the mildest winter climates, we still require home heating during the coolest months of the winter. These tips can help you save on home heating, leaving more money in your pocket and also setting the stage for lower summertime cooling costs.

• Have your furnace or heat pump professionally serviced each year. The cleaning and adjustments the HVAC professional makes will cut your home heating costs and ensure your safety, especially if your furnace uses gas.
• Ask the HVAC technician to check the integrity of the ductwork and seal it if leaks are present. Nothing drives heating costs up faster than loose or leaking ducts. Ductwork leaks can occur at any time, and often go undetected until heating or cooling bills mount for no apparent reason.
• Check your air filter for the air handler monthly, and change it when it’s dirty. A dirty filter raises heating costs because it slows the airflow going through the air handler. It takes your furnace longer to warm your home, which also adds wear and tear to the furnace.
• Use a reversible ceiling fan to bring down the warmer air that collects near your ceiling. Make sure that the fans you use have two settings. The blades should turn clockwise in the winter and counter-clockwise in the summer.
• Measure the amount of insulation in the attic and add more if it’s less than 16 inches deep. Adding insulation will save on heating costs, along with making it less expensive to cool your home. Insulation is inexpensive, relatively easy to install and lasts for decades.
• Lock your home’s windows when they’re not open to get the tightest seal, which will reduce air infiltration. If you notice any cracks around the frames, seal them with exterior caulk.
• Check the exterior door frames during the day to see if you can see any light coming through. If you see daylight, remove the old weatherstripping and replace it with fresh.

For professional help to save on heating, contact Gulf Coast Air Systems today.