Your house is usually among your most prized investments. It supports you financially through boosting equity, and it’s a space to enjoy with your family and create memorable moments, too. When it’s cold, you might also face rising utility bills.
Consequently, finding ways to lower your heating bill in London without lowering comfort can appear harder than it needs to be.
When it comes to energy efficiency, residences resemble cars. Some guzzle energy while others drink it slowly. Regardless of what type of home you have, there are methods to end the chill this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to keep you toasty without driving up your energy bill.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most economical recommendation out there. It’s also the best approach to keep your heating system running optimally throughout the winter.
The type of filter and seasonal factors contribute to how regularly you should replace it. High allergen counts, pets and residence size can also affect its durability. In most cases, inexpensive filters should be swapped monthly. Pleated styles made with thicker material might work for three months or longer.
“It’s really the large thing homeowners 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 be filtered through it and actually add warmth to the home. A clogged filter makes your heating system work harder.”
2. Schedule Routine HVAC Service
It’s common to have a tech visit your home in the spring for AC service. That way, your system is prepared for the warm weather.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other procedures, an inspection typically covers:
- Examining thermostat settings
- Cleaning and oiling internal pieces
- Examining system shutdown and startup controls
A tune-up helps lessen the possibility of handling an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have shown as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with normal tune-ups.
3. Check Windows and Doors for Leaks
Windows and doors are a main entry point for frigid air. Insulating window and door frames is an practical approach to help keep chilly air outside.
Here’s one check that Hughes recommends.
Shut a door. Is any light visible? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not fully sealed. Adjustments or weather-stripping might be necessary.
If your residence has single-pane windows, you might want to think over a dual-pane upgrade.
A lot of homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide much better insulation for keeping chilled air where it belongs.
When you install double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Regulate Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes advises against leaving it on for too long.
The same goes for for the dryer. Don’t let it to operate after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan pulls out hot air away from your home and increases cold air. Using these appliances longer than needed will make your furnace to work harder to handle the avoidable coldness.
5. Check Your Home’s Outer Edges for Holes
Inspect your residence’s exterior. This is the boundary that shields your house from the outdoors. If there’s a basement, check for moving cobwebs or cold leaking in around the sides.
Polyurethane sealers and other options can be used to plug basement walls letting air into your home. Another economical move is to get foam seals for fixture undersides, such as ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re simple to install and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.
6. Measure Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth making sure that you have thick enough insulation levels
Hughes advises visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the appropriate R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This value is formulated on the geographic spot where you live.
7. Think About Our Advantage Program™
Winter can be tough for homeowners with inefficient systems.
If your furnace is failing or in need of expensive repair, there’s a fair chance you’re not able to spend thousands on a new system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you bypass pricey repairs through a low monthly fee.
We’ll also install a high-efficiency system in your home. Plus our professional specialists will overhaul and maintain it for you without any added out-of-pocket expense
Request an Appointment with Us Right Away
Make your London home more energy efficient with pro assistance from Roy Inch & Sons Home Services by Enercare.
For more information about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 226-270-1164 or contact us online now.