Are you tired of cold drafts and high utility bills each winter? Winterizing your home can increase energy efficiency and decrease the amount of money you spend each month heating your Kansas City home. Here are a few tips from the experts at Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to make your home feel warmer this winter.
Nix the cold drafts. According to the U.S Department of Energy, drafts can waste up to 30 percent of your energy use! You can easily roll up a bath towel and place it in front of drafty doors, or get creative and create door draft snakes.
Change your furnace filters. This is a task that many tend to forget, but it’s important to replace or clean your filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty air filters restrict the airflow and decrease energy efficiency. Your furnace will have to work harder to push more air out through the dirt filter.
Run your ceiling fans in reverse. Did you know that your ceiling fan can actually help keep your room warmer? Heat rises and when you reverse your fan, it pushes the warm air back down. Reversing your ceiling fan can save you as much as 10 percent on heating costs.
Turn down the temperature on your water heater. Most water heaters are set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but most households in the Kansas City area do not need that much steam. You can cut back on water heating bills by lowering the temperature to 120 degree F or even lower if you can stand luke-warm showers.
Tune-up your heating system. It’s important to keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted. This will help to increase energy efficiency and energy savings. A well-maintained furnace is also likely to last longer and need fewer repairs.
Be mindful of the thermostat. When you are not in your home, turn down your thermostat. Lowering the temperatures while no one is home is a quick way to save money, but also an easy task to forget. Leave a note by the front door to remind yourself to turn down the thermostat before you leave. You can also get a programmable thermostat that will change temperatures during fixed times in the day.
Seal window gaps with caulk or weatherstripping. Simple leaks can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by up to 30 percent! Look for cracks or gaps in windows by slowly moving burning incense around the window. The smoke will change direction when there is a draft or crack in the window frame.
Temporarily insulate your windows. You can get a window insulation kit for just a few dollars at any hardware store. The plastic adds an extra buffer to the cold air that tends to leak in through your windows.
Seal the ductwork in your home. Hire a professional to check your duct system. If your ductwork is not sealed properly, 10 to 30 percent of the heat your furnace produces will escape before it reaches certain rooms in your home.
Upgrade your HVAC system for more energy efficiency. If you have an older furnace, you could save more down the road by replacing your furnace with a new, more energy efficient one.
Save Money This Winter with Better Energy Efficiency
Spending a little time and money winterizing your home can pay off big time when you see how much your heating bills will lower. You can save money and keep your home more comfortable! If you live in the Kansas City area and would like more information on winterizing your home or furnace replacement, contact the professionals at Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today at (913) 535-8002(913) 535-8002.
