How to Keep Your Home Warm for the Winter

How to Keep Your Home Warm for the Winter

Pittsburgh HVAC

With our winter season getting colder and colder keeping warm will remain our biggest concern. So how can you make your feel home warmer this cold (and still getting colder) season? The obvious answer is to crank up your heater. But this would also mean your bills climbing up the roof. Here are some winterization tips that would keep your home warm without drilling a hole in your pocket.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm During Winter

1. Cover Door Drafts

Did you know that drafts can actually waste 5% to 30% of your energy use? That is a staggering figure and this figure comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. So imagine cranking up your heater only to lose 5% -30% of the heat. Your drafty doors can be the very reason that you need to keep on turning up your heater in the first place. So how do you do this? Here’s a simple solution that comes from the Great Depression times – the draft snake. Simply roll up some towels and place one under each of your drafty doors.

2. Remember to Clean (or Change) Furnace Filters

Many of us forget about cleaning (or even replacing those that need replacing) furnace filters at least once a month during the winter season. Here’s why cleaning furnace filters is very important. Filters filled with dirt and debris block off airflow therefore restricting the furnace’s heating capability which in turn increases energy demand.  To avoid forgetting about your furnace filters, mark a day in your calendar for cleaning them or set up an alarm on your smartphone.

3. Install Storm Doors and Windows

Storm doors can seal drafts and bring down air flow which brings up energy efficiency to 45%. Another great benefit of storm doors is that they allow light and ventilation to come in your home. When choosing your storm doors, it is best to opt for Energy Star-certified models.

When the cold, cold winds start huffing and puffing, you will be thankful (not to mention all warm)  that you had your storm windows out of your shed or attic and already installed. See to it that each of your storm windows are safely shut as they won’t help that much in keeping your home warm if you left them in their up position.

4. Regular Tune-up of Your Heating System is a Must

To make sure that your heating system is running without a hitch, a regular tune-up is in order. You need to make sure that your furnace is kept clean, well-lubricated and adjusted properly. Not only will a regular tune-up ensure that your home is a warm haven during the colder months, it will also cut down energy use and give you up to 5% savings on heating costs.

Here’s the great news. Most utilities actually offer a free yearly check-ups done by skilled and qualified technicians. The trick is to set up an appointment early on as HVAC crews are in high demand once the colder months start.

Remember these tips so your home stays warm and toasty when the weather gets icy.

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