Top 5 Energy-Saving Tips For Winter
We just had the first below-freezing temperatures of the season in the Granbury, Texas area. We hope everyone was prepared and didn’t shiver under the blankets the past couple of nights.
But we understand sometimes life gets in the way of the things we need to do, such as preparing our homes for the winter. The temperatures will be coming back up for the next few days, so you still have some time to get things done to help you save heating costs during these cold months.
To get you back on track, check out our Top 5 Winter Energy-Saving Tips and also a cool new infographic, “Everything You Need to Know About Home Heating”:
1. Look For Air Leaks And Seal Them Up
Walk around the house with a feather to check for air leaks (grab one from your feather duster). If the feather flutters when you hold it near the edges of windows and doors, and even outlets and light switches, you have an air leak to contend with: warm air can escape through those cracks, making it cost more to keep the home warm. Caulk around windows, replace your door sweeps, seal up the space behind outlet covers with expandable foam, and replace weather stripping.
2. Follow Your Furnace Maintenance Schedule
As we said last week, have your furnace checked seasonally by one of our qualified techs, and follow the recommended schedule for filter replacement. Talk to one of our Daffan pros about the latest in energy-efficient furnace models–it may be a good time to upgrade if you have a tired old furnace.
3. Seal And Insulate Your Ductwork
Homeowners sometimes forget about ductwork, because it’s hidden in the attic, basement, or crawlspace. However leaky ductwork can let warm air escape and make equipment work harder to maintain airflow. Let us know, we’ll be happy to crawl around in those areas to make sure your ductwork is in tip-top shape!
4. Upgrade Your Outdoor Lights
It gets dark sooner now, so you may be leaving your front and back porch lights and other outdoor lights on longer than usual. Make sure your bulbs and floodlights have the Energy Star label, and consider fixtures that shut off automatically in the daylight or turn on only if there is motion. There are now CFL and LED lights that can handle the cold, snow and rain of winter. And LED Christmas lights are big energy savers as well.
5. Clean Your Gutters
We all know clogged gutters and freezing temps can lead to ice dams that push seeping water into the home. That can cause air comfort problems such as mold, mildew and the nasty smells that come along with them. Don’t wait for a problem–clean the gutters today.
