The number one priority of any homeowner is to make sure that the entire family is safe, secure and comfortable. Running a household is not the easiest thing and this job is usually left to the mothers. Buying groceries, organizing schedules of school activities and even making sure that all the cooling and heating systems are functioning well are just some of the responsibilities that fall into the hands of mothers. With winter fast approaching, one of their top priorities is to make sure that the HVAC systems are all in place.
Studies show that the number one reason for increasing energy bills during the winter season is malfunctioning heating systems. So how can mothers and homeowners reduce energy cost?
Tips on saving money on heating this winter
1.) Make sure that your heating system is functioning properly.
The best time to have heater maintenance check is towards the middle of fall. Call your professional HVAC service so they can do a thorough check on your system. A heater that continuously breaks down will not only cause you stress you might also end up spending more on it. If your heating service provider suggests that it is time to do a new heater installation, the best thing to do is to heed their advice. Replacing your heater with a new one might feel heavy on the pocket at first but you will end up saving a lot more in the long run.
2.) Lower down the heat at night.
During the evening it tends to get a lot colder. When everybody is about to go to bed just make sure to put heavier blankets around each of your children to keep them warm and cozy.
3.) Insulate your windows and doors.
It is highly important for you to keep the heat indoors during the winter season. You can do this by applying weather stripping on your windows and doors in order to prevent heat and air infiltration. Another suggestion would be to fill the cracks on your windows with caulk that contains silicon. This will help assure you that cold air will not infiltrate through your windows.
4.) Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
The air inside your house tends to become very dry. It is better to have moist air because they hold heat better making you and your family feel more comfortable without turning up the heating system.
5.) Use a programmable thermostat.
Make sure to set your thermostat at a lower temperature at night and during the day when nobody is at home. Experts in energy show that lowering your thermostat by at least ten degrees can help reduce your energy bill by at 10 to 20 percent.
6.) Run your fans in reverse.
There are a lot of ceiling fans that produce warmer air when they are switched to reverse. The air that gathers in the ceiling is circulated back down to your living room thereby cutting your heating cost.
