Your house is probably among your most cherished investments. It supports you financially through boosting equity, and it’s a space to enjoy with your family and develop memories, too. During the winter, you may also be dealing with rising utility costs.
As a result, finding tactics to lower your heating bill in Indianapolis without lowering comfort can feel challenging.
In regard to energy efficiency, residences resemble cars. Some require a lot of energy while others drink it slowly. Regardless of what type of home you own, there are methods to block the discomfort this winter. The Experts are here with seven tips to keep you toasty without driving up your energy bill.
1. Replace Your Your Air Filter
It’s the most cost-effective recommendation there is. It’s also the best way to keep your heating system operating smoothly throughout the winter.
The model of filter and seasonal elements affect how often you should get a new one. Increased allergen counts, pets and home size can also influence its life span. Typically, cheap filters should be swapped monthly. Pleated styles made with higher-quality material could last three months or longer.
“It’s really the large thing people ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more overloaded the filter is, the less air is able to be filtered through it and actually add warmth to the house. An overloaded filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Annual HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a technician visit your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your air conditioner is prepared for the warm weather.
But don’t overlook scheduling an appointment for furnace service before the winter too.
Among other actions, an inspection commonly includes:
- Examining thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal parts
- Examining system shutdown and startup processes
Maintenance helps lower the possibility of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a blizzard. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with regular service.
3. Examine Windows and Doors for Leaks
Windows and doors are a leading entry point for cold air. Sealing window and door frames is an practical method to help keep chilly air where it belongs.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes recommends.
Close a door. Is any light visible? If that’s the case, it’s not entirely sealed. Modifications or weather-stripping may be required.
If your house has single-pane windows, you may want to think over a dual-pane upgrade.
Some homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad move, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping chilled air out.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
4. Restrict Use of Vented Appliances
If you use the exhaust fan while cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it running for an extended period of time.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t permit it to run after your clothes are done.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels warm air away from your home and pulls in cold air. Running these appliances longer than needed will make your heater to run more often to take care of the preventable coldness.
5. Inspect Your Residence’s Edges for Holes
Inspect your residence’s building envelope. This is the area that separates your home from the weather. If you have a basement, be on the lookout for moving cobwebs or cool air flowing in near the edges.
Polyurethane sealers and other options can be bought to fix basement walls letting air into your house. Another affordable idea is to get foam seals for fixture undersides, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re fast to use and are awesome at keeping the cold air out in the winter.
6. Evaluate Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth ensuring that you have adequate insulation levels
Hughes recommends visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the recommended R-value for your residence’s walls and attic space. This value is established on the geographic area where you live.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter could be trying for homeowners with aging equipment.
If your furnace is going out or in need of major fixes, there’s a fair chance you’re not prepared to spend thousands on a new system.
That’s why we provide our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent expensive repairs through a modest monthly fee.
We’ll also install a high-efficiency system in your house. Plus our professional technicians will fix and maintain it for you without any added out-of-pocket fee
Book an Appointment with Us Right Away
Make your Indianapolis house more energy efficient with pro assistance from Service Experts.
For more specifics about our Advantage Program or to request an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 317-527-0271 or contact us online today.