Winter is coming. (Signal Game of Thrones music.) While you may not have to prepare quite the same way the Starks and Lannisters will, it’s still important to make sure your home is good to go for the cold. Here are a few recommendations from Orangutan Home Services to get you started.
Clear Space Surrounding Air Returns
You don’t need cold air returns in the cooler months right? Wrong. Make sure your air returns (the larger vents) are not obstructed and that air can flow smoothly through them. Your cold air returns are necessary to help your furnace run efficiently.
Upgrade Your Windows
Windows are a usual way that heat can escape your home, so think about upgrading old or inefficient windows to help keep heat inside during the winter months.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
With sick season coming soon, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your family healthy. For the sake of your indoor air, make sure you’re replacing your furnace or duct air filter every quarter. This will also help your system run more efficiently and save you energy, which means lowering your utility bills.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your system is older than 12 years, it’s probably not nearly as energy-efficient as newer heating systems. Before the winter hits and you’re stuck with a failing furnace or high heating bills, think about upgrading your system.
Buy a Whole-Home Humidifier
It may not seem logical, but increased humidity, more so in northern climates, can result in your home’s air feeling warmer than it is. Include the other benefits of reducing dry skin and static, and a whole-home humidifier might be the ideal addition to your heating system.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
We can’t say it enough – a programmable thermostat saves you energy and money no matter what season it is. A programmable thermostat will allow you to lower your home temperature while you are away to help reduce heating costs, and raise the temperature before you even arrive home to give you the ideal amount of home comfort.
Add or Upgrade Attic Insulation
Having the ideal amount of attic insulation helps trap heat in your home during the winter, lowering your energy use because your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, and therefore saves you money by decreasing your energy bills. Check with your local utility companies about rebates for upgrading or installing your attic insulation.
Wrap Plumbing
By insulating your plumbing pipes, especially hot water pipes, you can actually help boost the temperature two or three degrees. Warmer water on a cooler setting? That saves you energy and money – yes, please!
Get a Precision Tune-Up
Make sure your furnace is ready to keep you warm and comfy all winter long with an expert Precision tune-up from Orangutan Home Services. Currently we are offering discounts on our heating tune ups to help make sure you stay warm and safe through the cold months. Call 602-906-0111 today to schedule your Precision tune-up or set up a free in-home estimate on a new, energy-efficient heating and cooling system.