When cold weather arrives in Lake County, IL, heating bills rise. If you want to stay comfortable indoors and lower heating costs, there are simple ways to do so. Some you can do yourself. For more savings, ask your professional heating contractor to identify areas in your home that waste energy and recommend ways to efficiently operate your heating system.
Maintain Your Furnace
According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for almost half of the energy used in U.S. homes. Seasonal tune-ups can reduce a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system’s energy usage by as much as 15%. Dirty filters are a primary reason that HVAC units stop working. Keeping filters clean helps equipment work efficiently, which reduces energy usage.
Add Insulation
Evaluate the level of insulation in your home. Proper insulation keeps cool air from infiltrating your home, which reduces demand on your heating system. It also helps you stay comfortable. If you haven’t checked attic insulation recently, make sure it is in good condition. Wet or compressed insulation loses effectiveness.
Cold air enters wherever it can. Insulate doors, windows, and electrical outlets to seal in warmth and reduce drafts. If ducts go through unconditioned spaces, ask your HVAC contractor about insulating them.
Adjust the Thermostat
When used properly, programmable thermostats can save approximately 10% on heating and cooling costs each year. For each degree the thermostat is set back for a period of 8 hours or more, heating costs are lowered approximately 1%. Carrier’s smart thermostats can save up to 20%.
Upgrade to Energy-Saving Equipment
If your heating system is more than 10 years old and requires frequent or expensive repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace it. Energy-efficient models use less energy to operate, adding up to big savings on utility costs.
Herchenbach Mechanical Inc. is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and full-service professional heating contractor. We do new installations, repairs, and maintenance for all brands of heating and cooling equipment. We strive for 100% customer satisfaction.
To schedule a tuneup or find out more about ways to lower energy usage, call (847) 260-9335. We also offer 24-hour emergency service.
