Home is certainly where the heart is. And when it’s cold outside, it’s also where the heat is!
To keep your home warm, cozy, and comfortable this winter — while keeping an eye on your heating bill — focus on making sure your home is energy efficient. The more heat stays in your home, the more you’ll save on your winter heating bill as temperatures drop. Although this season is projected to be milder overall, every dollar makes a difference these days. Plus, we all know Central Virginia weather is nothing if not unpredictable!
Here’s how to make sure your home is energy efficient and ready for whatever winter has in store this year:
1. Schedule a Checkup
Be proactive and put a preventative maintenance checkup for your HVAC system on the calendar now, before temps shift from cool to frosty, and ideally before the holiday rush. Your HVAC professional will ensure your system is ship-shape and performing at maximum efficiency. Get that service call done early, and you’ll not only get the peace of mind that your system is ready to keep you and your family warm all winter long, you’ll also hedge your bets against an emergency service call — which always seem to happen when it’s most inconvenient, like the day of your big holiday get-together or when company arrives for the weekend.
2. Do a Clean Sweep
Replace your air filters and schedule a professional duct cleaning so your family and your HVAC system can both breathe easier. Especially when we’re spending more time indoors during the winter months, it’s more important than ever to breathe clean, fresh air. Because dust and dirt force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain your preferred temperature, clean filters and ductwork are mission-critical to keeping your system running smoothly. Sign up for FilterTimeTM and lighten your home maintenance mental load all year round. Subscribe for monthly delivery of brand-new Trane filters right to your door — their arrival is your cue to get that to-do done.
3. Shut Out the Cold
Tell the cold to take a hike by sealing up gaps and cracks around your doors and windows. Leaky ductwork and inadequate insulation in your attic, crawl space, and basement are additional bad guys to look out for when winterproofing your home. Weatherstripping, insulation kits, and caulking can all keep cold at bay while preventing heat from sneaking out of your home. If you’re letting drafts in, or losing heat through poorly sealed or insulated areas, your HVAC system will have to work longer and harder to maintain a warm and cozy indoor temperature, causing your energy usage — and your energy bill — to rise.
4. Make Smart Upgrades
Use the Trane Home App to adjust your smart thermostat to an energy-saving temperature, and plan to change the setting when you’re away from home. Make changes anytime and from anywhere with the convenience of your smartphone, to keep your home comfortable while saving energy. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, now’s the time to consider making an upgrade.
Once your home and HVAC system are ready for winter, there are two important “don’ts” to keep in mind to help you manage your energy bill:
1. Don’t Block Vents
It’s tempting to place holiday decorations over your vents or thermostats, but interfering with your HVAC system’s airflow can cause inefficiencies — which translates to higher energy usage and higher energy costs. The same is true for furniture, so be careful when you’re rearranging to accommodate décor or additional guests.
2. Don’t Overuse Space Heaters
While they can be useful for warming specific areas of your home, space heaters are false friends because they can drive up your energy bills. Use them sparingly and always follow safety guidelines to the letter to protect your home and your family from the dangers of tip-overs, burns, and fire.
To learn more about how Trane can help keep your energy bills in check while keeping your family comfortable all winter long, visit our website to find a dealer near you.
