Your house is probably among your most valued investments. It helps you financially through building equity, and it’s a space to enjoy with your family and create memorable moments, too. During the winter, you might also be dealing with increased heating expenses.
Consequently, finding methods to lower your heating bill in Canada without giving up comfort can appear difficult.
As far as energy efficiency, houses are similar to vehicles. Some require a lot of energy while others use it steadily. Regardless of what kind of home you have, there are methods to block the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven ideas to keep you toasty without going over budget.
It’s the most inexpensive suggestion out there. It’s also the best method to keep your heater running optimally through the winter.
The kind of filter and seasonal determinants influence how frequently you should put in a new one. Soaring allergen counts, pets and house size may also impact its life span. Generally, inexpensive filters should be changed monthly. Pleated models made with thicker material may work for three months or longer.
“It’s really the major thing people ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more overloaded the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually warm the house. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder.”
It’s normal to have an Expert come to your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is prepared for the summer.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it gets cold too.
Among other procedures, an inspection typically includes:
Maintenance helps decrease the possibility of handling an emergency repair in the middle of a blizzard. Some reports have found as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been stopped with routine service.
Windows and doors are a leading entry point for chilly air. Caulking window and door frames is an inexpensive way to help keep cold air out.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes recommends.
Shut a door. Can you see any light? If that’s the case, it’s not fully sealed. Changes or weather-stripping might be necessary.
If your house has single-pane windows, you may want to think about a dual-pane upgrade.
Many homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad idea, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping cool air out.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or greater.
If you require the exhaust fan while cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it going for an extended period of time.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t let it to run after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan pulls out warm air outside and pulls in cold air. Running these appliances continuously will make your furnace to work harder to fight the preventable cold.
Evaluate your house’s building envelope. This is the boundary that separates your home from the outdoors. If your home has a basement, look for blowing cobwebs or cold leaking in near the corners.
Polyurethane sealant and other things can be purchased to mend basement walls letting air into your house. Another inexpensive move is to invest foam seals for fixture bottoms, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re simple to put in and are fantastic at blocking cold air in the winter.
It’s worth making sure that you have appropriate insulation levels
Hughes suggests looking at the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the recommended R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This recommendation is established on the geographic location where your home is.
Winter may be tough for homeowners with old systems.
If your furnace is failing or needing major repair, there’s a good chance you’re not ready to spend thousands on a new system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent expensive fixes through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also put in an energy-efficient system in your house. Plus our Expert techs will fix and tune it up for you without any extra out-of-pocket fee
Make your Canada house more energy efficient with pro help from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to request an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 866-397-3787 or contact us online right away.
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