Saving money on energy costs during the winter in your Central Arizona home requires nothing more than a couple of simple weekend projects, most of which are inexpensive or even free. Here are the top five ways to improve your energy efficiency, reduce your heating costs and stay warm this winter.
Seal Air Leaks
Air that infiltrates your home through cracks and gaps in the building’s envelope reduces your comfort level and makes your heating system work harder to keep you warm. On a windy day, close your exterior windows and doors and pass a lit incense stick near windows, doors, baseboards and service entrances. Where the smoke wavers, you have an air leak. Seal air leaks with silicone caulk or weatherstripping.
Schedule Your Fall HVAC Maintenance
Neglected furnaces and heat pumps cost about five percent more to operate for each year they haven’t been tuned up. Annual maintenance is essential for extending the life of your equipment, reducing utilities, preventing breakdowns and increasing your comfort level.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
For every degree you set back your thermostat for eight hours, you’ll save a percent on your heating bills. Programmable thermostats make it easy to control your heating costs, especially if you frequently forget to turn down the thermostat before you go to bed or leave for work.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Flip the switch at the top of your ceiling fans to reverse the direction of the blades and redistribute warm air that gathers near the ceiling back down into the room, which will help to keep you warmer at lower thermostat settings.
Seal Leaky Ducts
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the ducts in the typical home leak out 25 percent of the air that moves through. That adds up to a lot of wasted energy and money. Inspect your ducts, and seal loose joints and cracks with mastic duct sealant.
For more expert tips on improving your energy efficiency this winter, or to schedule your annual heating system tune-up, feel free to contact us at Wolff Mechanical, proudly serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Central Arizona.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Phoenix Valley area of Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
