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View the Comfort Matters - Fall 2011 Newsletter by clicking this link.
IN THIS ISSUE
• Are you ready for some football?
• Warm up to seasonal comfort solutions
• Get in the zone
• Simple steps to keep heating costs low
Simple Steps To Keep Heating Costs Low
As we move from cool fall days into the winter months, you don’t have to spend a fortune on heating to keep warm! Explore ways to save with our top ten tips for a toastier home—minus the high price tag.
1. Schedule an HVAC professional to clean your home’s ducts before it’s time to turn on the furnace. Your system’s efficiency can be reduced by as much as 20% by damaged or blocked ducts.
2. Inspect your home for drafts flowing in from outside. Seal any leaks with insulation, caulking or weather stripping, and you can save up to 10% off heating and cooling costs.
3. Set your thermostat to 68°F while you’re at home, and as low as 60°F when you’re awake or asleep. For each degree the heat is lowered for at least eight hours, you’ll save as much as two percent on your heating bill.
4. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically reduce the temperature in your home while you’re at work. This simple step can reduce heating costs between 5 to 15 percent a year, depending on your climate.
5. Moisturize indoor air. The more humid the air, the warmer you feel. Adding humidity to dry, heated air in the winter helps you stay comfortable at a lower thermostat setting.
6. Change your filter once a month. Dirty filters require your home heating system to work harder, which equates to higher costs on your heating bill.
7. Upgrade your HVAC. An inefficient system can waste hundreds of dollars each year. Install a high-efficiency furnace like the SLP98V Variable-Capacity Gas Furnace from Lennox to reduce your bill dramatically.
8. Welcome sunny winter days. Opening curtains and blinds on sunny days can help to warm your home, especially on south-facing sides. Close curtains at night to reduce heat loss.
9. Cool down your shower. For every ten degrees you lower your water heater temperature, you’ll save 3-5 percent a year on the cost of warming your water.
10. Entertain a crowd. Each guest in your home is the equivalent of a 175-watt heater. The more the merrier!
