There are many homeowners and families that are trying to figure out how to save the most money while still remaining comfortable during the winter. There are a lot of things to consider here, and some tips might be useful to use with HVAC systems.
During the winter, you will probably want to start turning on the heating to make sure that your home is as warm as possible. Here are some of the best winter HVAC practices to consider.
Program Your Thermostat
There are plenty of affordable programmable thermostats on the market, and it might be a good time to check the temperature before the winter. This allows you to set the temperature lower when you or others are outside of the house so that you aren’t spending unnecessary money heating your home with no one there to enjoy the heat.
This is also a great way to save money on utility bills during the winter.
Clean Vents
One of the most crucial things that you can do is to clean your air vents and registers. If your air vents become clogged, it could affect the way that air flows throughout the home. It also may mean that your furnace works harder than it needs to, which means higher energy bills and less money in your pocket.
Of course, keeping your vents clean also means that your family can enjoy better air quality. You should also take the time to replace or clean any air filters before winter. A dirty air filter can introduce contaminants into the air, and it could also end up blocking heated air from flowing freely.
Seal Your Home
You might have an incredible HVAC system, but cold air will still be able to enter your home if your windows and doors aren’t sealed properly. You may want to consider weatherstripping and caulking your home, which is a very cost-effective way to ensure that it stays warm during the winter months.
This is one of those HVAC best practices that apply during all seasons, whether it’s summer or winter. In fact, sealing your home could end up saving you as much as 10% to 15% on energy bills in general. If you are noticing a draft near specific doors or windows, take note of them and consider weatherstripping these areas.
Conclusion
We hope that these HVAC best practices can help you during the winter months. Of course, one of the most important aspects of the best HVAC practices is to make sure that your HVAC units are working properly and maintained at all times. If your HVAC system is over ten years old, it might be time to consider replacing it entirely. There are other steps that can be taken to improve HVAC efficiency, as well, such as insulating your attic.
Of course, if you run into unexpected issues while preparing your HVAC system for the winter, you should contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible. Taking care of your HVAC system can save you a lot of money and headaches down the line.