Spring is finally on the horizon in Illinois! As we start to shed those winter layers, it’s a great time to reflect on how your home’s heating system performed. Did you struggle to stay warm? Were your energy bills higher than expected? Before summer’s heat arrives, Ernst Heating & Cooling of Hamel, Illinois, suggests evaluating your home comfort setup. Making smart upgrades now can ensure year-round comfort and efficiency. Keep reading to learn more.
Get smart with your thermostat
Does your thermostat offer precision temperature control? Older manual thermostats and even some of the earlier programmable models fall short of today’s technology, and these disadvantages can hit you in the wallet. Smart thermostats attach to your home’s Wi-Fi, meaning you can adjust the temperature right from your phone. But the technology is more than just a handy app. A smart thermostat is equipped with digital sensors that keep your home within 1 degree of the setting. That means you’re not wasting money on a thermostat that is prone to temperature swings as it seeks the right setting.
Consider energy-efficient doors and windows
Don’t let your energy budget fly out the window! If you’re relying on ancient windows and doors to keep the cold out in the winter and the AC in during the summer, you may be playing a losing game. According to ENERGY STAR, new windows can lower energy bills by an average of 13 percent. At the very least, give your doors and windows a thorough inspection to ensure the weather seal hasn’t cracked from our frigid winter temperatures.
Double check your home’s insulation
Proper insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by creating a thermal barrier, capturing heat indoors during the winter and blocking it during the summer months. Here at Ernst Heating & Cooling, we recommend boosting your insulation in these four areas:
- Attic
- Air ducts
- Wall insulation
- Foundation insulation
Proper insulation is as important as wearing a coat in the winter and keeping the windows shut during summer’s hottest days. A small investment can pay you back in lower energy bills and comfort.
Is zoned heating and cooling right for you?
A zoned heating and cooling system lets you adjust the temperature in different areas of your home accordingly. It’s a great way to conquer uneven heating issues and thermostat wars where one person is too hot, and another is always cold. A zoned system divides your home into different zones, each with its own heating or cooling setting. It is especially handy in homes with finished rooms in the basement, attic, or over the garage, and rooms with large windows or vaulted ceilings. Ernst Heating & Cooling can help you determine if a zoned heating and cooling system is right for you.
Invest in a new heating and cooling system
When is it time to replace or upgrade your heating and cooling system? The answer is different for everyone, but we recommend following the $5,000 rule: Multiply the age of your system by the cost of repairing it. If the answer is more than $5,000, it’s time for an upgrade. Don’t try to force extra years from an old system. Often, you wind up paying more to keep an older system running than you would to invest in an upgrade. New systems often feature newer, energy-efficient technology that can cut your energy bills. They also come with warranties, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong while the system is under warranty. Ernst Heating & Cooling has regular equipment specials and offers special finance options as well.
Remember to schedule a tune-up on your existing system
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your system running efficiently. The Ernst Comfort Plan takes the planning out of the equation, ensuring that you’re receiving two professional tune-ups each year from a trained Ernst Heating & Cooling technician. Don’t skip this important step that keeps your home comfortable and your energy bills in check.
Give your home comfort a fresh start with energy upgrades with Ernst Heating and Cooling. Call us now at 618-217-1836 to schedule a spring tune-up, or request your appointment online at https://www.ernstheating.com/contact_us/. Spring forward this season with Ernst Heating & Cooling!