When cold weather hits and you flip the thermostat switch to “heat,” you may begin to wonder about the most efficient and cost-effective ways to heat your home.
Abner Boiler & Heating Company, serving Dane County, WI, wants to highlight a few HVAC suggestions from the U.S. Department of Energy. (For the full article, check out
Energy Saver 101: Everything You Need to Know about Home Heating.)
1. Use a programmable thermostat.
Take advantage of opportunities when you can lower your thermostat. You can set your thermostat (if it’s capable) at a lower temperature either when you’re away or snuggled in your bed at night. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat for your
HVAC system, you may want to look into getting one.
2. Fix drafty areas around doors and windows.
If your windows or doors aren’t sealed well, then you could be losing heat at a rapid rate. You can apply weatherstripping in these areas to make the seal around your doors and windows more effective.
3. Check your ceiling fan settings.
Did you know that your ceiling fan has settings both for
heating and cooling? During the winter months, you want to set your ceiling fan to be set to clockwise. Doing so forces rising warm air back down, where you can enjoy it.
4. Find ways to heat your home naturally.
Get into the habit of opening up your curtains and blinds while the sun is shining into your home. The sun’s rays will naturally add heat to your home. At night, close the blinds and curtains so that the heat is less able to escape.
5. Don’t forget your regular HVAC maintenance.
Monthly, you want to make sure you’re replacing your air filters. Additionally, you may want to look into having your chimney cleaned and your home’s heating ducts and pipes checked. If you have cracks or areas that aren’t insulated well, you could be losing money quickly in your
HVAC system before the heat even reaches you.
We at
Abner Boiler & Heating Company know Wisconsin weather and want to help you stay warm during the winter months. From
furnace repair and installation to regular maintenance, our professionals know heating systems, and we have more than 50 years experience right here in the
Madison, WI area. For all your HVAC questions or to schedule maintenance,
contact Abner Boiler & Heating Company by calling
(608) 274-3077.