How to Heat Your Home Efficiently During Winter
When the clouds roll in and your morning coffee order shifts from a refreshing iced coffee to a piping-hot pumpkin spiced latte, you know winter has settled in. The brisk air, albeit energizing in small doses, begins to affect your home comfort. Your morning walk has a nice chill but when you return home to work from your newfound office space, you want to feel cozy. And you should be able to do so without breaking the bank.
That’s why we here at Fox Plumbing & Heating are providing efficient home heating tips, so you can reduce your energy consumption and monthly utility bills during the uptake in your home heater use. That way, you won’t have to worry about increasing your indoor temperature when you want that extra comfort. Here’s what you need to do to start saving this winter:
Restore Your Insulation
Insulation is not normally discussed. It falls under the theory: out of sight, out of mind. However, thinking about your insulation is key, and not just during the wintertime. Your home climate control will only be as successful and effective as your insulation.
If you are noticing poor heat retention in your home, meaning it is not reaching your desired temperature, you likely have a breach in your insulation. This can manifest in many different ways. From your in-wall insulation to your windows and doors, all aspects must be properly installed. Otherwise, you will suffer from air leaks which will not only interfere with your heating efforts but also negatively affect your heating costs.
When your home has air leaks, the air you are heating is escaping, counteracting your heating goals. You will be unable to control your heat, as it is quite literally seeping out of your windows and doors. In order to resolve this problem, apply caulking or weatherstripping to your windows and doors to seal off any imperfections.
Additionally, if your in-wall insulation is outdated, you are losing 25% of your heat in the winter. This causes your energy consumption to skyrocket, and your wallet will take the brunt of this malfunction. Have your insulation inspected and restored for improved heating function.
Install A Programmable Thermostat
If you are constantly adjusting the temperature on your thermostat, cranking it up and up and up to try and expedite your home heating—we are sorry to break it to you, but that is simply not going to make your home heat up any faster, but rather increase your home heating bill. When you adjust your thermostat, your heating cycle restarts. This demands a high amount of energy. So, how can you expedite your heating without impacting your bottom line? Install a programmable thermostat in your home!
Adding a smart home heating system to your home will increase your heating efficiency in a significant way. These systems eliminate forgetfulness, reducing your ability to leave your heater running while you are out to zero. With this technology, you will be able to schedule your home heating to match your day-to-day routine. This way, your home reaches your desired temperature without you having to do a single thing!
Reducing the amount you interface with your thermostat will prove beneficial, inherently decreasing your energy expenses and use, as your heating cycles will remain uninterrupted, further optimizing your home heating.
Lower Your Indoor Temperature
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit to conserve energy this winter! Of course, you have to remain comfortable; however, lowering your indoor temperature to 68 degrees Fahrenheit will save you about 10% on your heating costs and should be comfortable for most!
Try this out! If you are not comfortable, increase your thermostat by one degree and see how you feel! Every degree makes a difference, so try and use alternative heating techniques to adjust your comfort levels, such as heated blankets, slippers, and hot beverages!
For your home heating system care and services, contact Fox Plumbing & Heating at (206) 309-4240! We are here to help you reach your ideal indoor comfort.