9 Efficiency Tips for Heating Your Home
Reduce Your Energy Bills
We’re close to the official end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Sullivan County. The temperatures will start to cool down and soon you’ll be reaching for your sweaters and blankets to keep warm as opposed to running the AC to stay cool.
As Sullivan County’s first choice for full-service HVAC, heating oil, propane, and more, Black Bear is here to make sure you don’t spend more on your heating bills than you have to.
By making your home as energy efficient as possible, you can cut down on your bills this fall (and winter too). In fact, making your home more energy efficient will benefit your budget all year long. In the fall and winter your heating system won’t have to work as hard to keep you home warm. And in the hot summer months your central air conditioning system won’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool.
A Home Heating Efficiency Checklist
Follow the suggestions below to save energy and money while staying comfortable in your Sullivan County home this fall:
- Maintenance: One of the best things you can do to keep your heating system working as efficiently as possible is to invest in regular maintenance checks. If you haven’t had a professional inspect your furnace or boiler in the last year, now’s the time to do it. Without regular inspections, your heating system could lose up to 5% in efficiency each year. Black Bear’s experts provide thorough heating maintenance that will keep your system running efficiently and trouble-free.
- Programmable thermostats: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% annually on your heating (and cooling) bills based on how you adjust your thermostat’s setting.
- Leaks: A drafty home can cost as much as 15% more to keep warm. Limiting the ability of cool or cold air to enter your home will help make it more efficient and lower your heating costs. Use caulk, weather-stripping, and door sweeps to help keep colder air out. Expanding foam can seal cracks in exterior walls and openings around your pipes.
- Insulation: In addition to reducing the drafts in your home, adding insulation will help your home maintain the desired temperature with less demand on your heating system. Most homes don’t have an insulated attic. That’s a good place to start.
- Ceiling fans: Ceiling fans don’t just help during the summer months. Believe it or not, but they can also help your home get the most out of its heating system. If you change the rotation of your ceiling fan to clockwise, it will send the warm air that has risen towards the ceiling back down into your living space.
- Sunlight: A simple and free way to help keep your home warmer is to take advantage of sunlight. Open your curtains and blinds to let as much sunlight as possible in during the day. Once the sun sets, close your curtains and blinds to help keep that heat inside.
- Space heaters: Almost every home has that one room or space that never seems to get warm enough. Instead of turning the thermostat up on your whole house and paying for more heat than you really need, you can get targeted warmth with a space heater.
- Air filters: Change your air filters every three months. Change them more often if you have pets or a family member with allergies. Clean filters prevent your heating system from working harder than it needs to.
- Vents: No matter how efficiently your heating system is, it’s a waste if your furniture, drapes, or rugs are positioned in such a way as to block the warm air that’s trying to circulate throughout your living space. Make sure all vents, radiators, and baseboards are free from obstructions.
Call the Bear, We’ll Be There!
Black Bear Fuel Oil, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning provides HVAC service, repairs, and upgrades in northern Orange County, Sullivan County, and eastern Ulster County. To see if your New York neighborhood is in our service area, enter your ZIP Code here.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a maintenance visit. Your comfort is our priority!