Winter has settled in, and many Metro East homeowners are being hit with higher energy bills. Ernst Heating & Cooling wants our customers to stay warm without bruising their budgets as they settle in to the post-holiday winter months. It’s not too late to winterize your home and keep the heat inside where it belongs. Check out our tips:
Set your thermostat lower for winter savings
You’ve had a couple of months to acclimate to winter’s chill. Go ahead and nudge the thermostat setting down a couple of degrees and see if it’s bearable. Even a degree or two can make a difference in heating bills. If that’s simply too cold for you or your family, at least consider dropping the temperature at night. A smart thermostat can handle the schedule and make sure the house is warm when the alarm goes off in the morning.
Winterize your home with insulation
You wouldn’t venture out without a winter coat when the temperatures drop below freezing, would you? Think of insulation as a winter coat that keeps the cold from penetrating through the walls of your home. Take a walk around your home and make sure the attic and interior walls are all insulated. This is also a good time to ensure your windows and doors are properly sealed with weatherstripping or caulk. Even a small hole can let out as much warm air as an open window!
Consider a roof inspection
We’ve had a few years of light snow totals in the Midwest, but nobody knows what’s in store for us this year. Your roof might be fine at keeping the rain from seeping in, but a good snowstorm can pile heavy snow and ice on your home’s surface, putting you at risk of property damage or a roof collapse. Don’t try to handle this task on your own, though. Let a professional inspector do the job.
Check the fireplace
There’s nothing quite as cozy as a crackling fire in the winter months. If it’s been a while, though, spring for the professional chimney sweep and thorough cleaning. You’ll also want to make sure the flue is covered when you’re not using the fireplace. An open flue is just another way for heat to escape from your home. You don’t want to send your hard-earned income up the chimney!
Reverse the ceiling fans to bring the heat down to your level
Take a quick look at your ceiling fan. What way is it spinning? If it’s spinning counterclockwise, you may be feeling an extra chill. Make sure the fan is set to spin clockwise, which will push down the warmer air that likes to rise to the ceiling.
Take care of your heating system
A well-maintained heating system pays you back with lower energy bills and a potentially longer lifespan. That’s because the Ernst Heating & Cooling technician takes the time to give the entire system an annual deep clean and inspection, tightening loose connections and replacing broken parts before they lead to a bigger repair bill. Remember, a heating system that’s dirty or compromised will have to work harder to heat your home, and that translates to higher energy bills. If you skipped your annual heating system tune-up, it’s not too late to ask an Ernst technician to come out and take a look.
Even if the furnace is still heating your home, don’t ignore unusual furnace sounds. These noises could indicate a slipped motor or blower belt, a poorly adjusted pilot light, or dirty gas burners. If something isn’t working, make sure to call Ernst immediately. And remember, a rotten egg smell coming from your gas furnace can mean you’re experiencing a natural gas leak, and that’s an emergency situation. Evacuate the home and call 911 immediately. Take the necessary steps now and enjoy a warmer home and lower heating costs this winter. If you’re concerned about your heating system, or you just want to schedule that tune-up you skipped in the fall, call us now at 618-217-1836. Or, you can request your appointment online. Ernst Heating & Cooling wants you to stay warm this winter, so don’t hesitate to call if you’re noticing strange noises or feeling too much cold air inside your home.