The spooky season is here in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, which means the holiday season (and more importantly, the holiday weather) is right around the corner. If you’ve had some expensive winters in the past, or your heating system didn’t seem to work as well as you wanted last year, or even if you’ve already spent all your cash on Halloween candy, you will want to know about these six tips for keeping your home warm while also saving on your heating costs.
Six HVAC Tips for Winter
1. Replace Your HVAC Filters
The very first thing to be done in your heating and cooling system once the season changes should be replacing your air filters. HVAC air filters are designed to get dirty and clogged over time as they remove dirt, pollen, bacteria, and other debris from the air that circulates your living space, and its important to replace them regularly. This HVAC tip is equally important as it is easy, and will have a big impact on your home’s air quality as well as the efficiency of your heating system.
2. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Arguments over the best, the most efficient, or the most comfortable thermostat settings for winter are as old as the very first campfire. But when it comes to saving money with your thermostat, there is no doubt that the best way to do it is to leave it to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats provide flexibility by allowing you to change your thermostat settings from your phone, but also offer impressive efficiency by automatically learning from your everyday comfort needs.
3. Reverse Any Ceiling Fans
While many only think of a ceiling fan when things are too hot, there is a little-known trick to utilizing your ceiling fans when it is cold outside, too. Reversing the direction of your ceiling fans and using them on a low setting will push warm air back downwards, where you and your family members can feel it.
4. Upgrade the Insulation and Air Seal of Your Home
The efficiency of how your home is constructed is vital to the efficiency of your heating system. Two areas in your home to consider upgrading are the insulation (especially in the attic and basement/crawl space) and the overall air seal. This keeps hot air in over the winter, but will also keep the hot sun out of your home in the summer!
5. Install a More Efficient Heating System
The lifespan of a standard furnace is about ten years and even less if it hasn’t been taken care of through regular maintenance. If you have had to schedule heating repair more than once in the last year, it will likely benefit your energy costs and your overall home comfort to replace your furnace.
6. Add a Heat Pump
A common problem for homeowners struggling with how to get warm once the temperatures drop is an undersized furnace or a home that has outgrown its original heating system. One way to combat this cost-effectively is by adding a ductless mini split heat pump. Mini splits can be installed directly into the area (or areas) that need the extra heat. Plus, air source heat pumps like ductless mini splits qualify for rebates from PSEG to help reduce the cost of heat pump installation!
Learn How to Improve Your Home with Home Efficiency Experts
All the HVAC tips and tricks in the world could have you chasing down maximum efficiency when it comes to your heating and cooling costs, but a holistic approach to home performance with a building science expert will uncover the underlying issues in your home that are causing your comfort and efficiency problems. If you are looking for a once-and-for-all solution to keeping your home comfortable all winter, schedule an energy audit with Home Efficiency Experts.
