New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home
editPerhaps one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money on your utility bills. It’s a resolution that’s not too hard to achieve; you can start with the steps below for making your heating unit and your home more energy-efficient.
Weatherstripping
This refers to the sealing of cracks and gaps around the home, and it helps keep warm air inside. All kinds of weatherstripping materials are out there, such as:
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Reinforced foam
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Tension seals
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Foam tapes
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Reinforced vinyl
The Department of Energy recommends felt and foam for low-traffic areas. The more durable materials, though, are vinyl and metal. Caulking is another option but cannot be used on moveable structures.
Adding Insulation
Your home probably has insulation already, but you may want to add some more layers or replace it with something that boasts a higher R-value: that is, higher resistance to heat flow. The Home Energy Saver is a reliable tool that will help you determine which step to take.
Creating a Heating Schedule
You can program your thermostat so that the heater stays off when you’re asleep or out of the house. Maybe have the heater switch on half an hour before you wake up. If your thermostat comes with Wi-Fi compatibility, you could turn on the heater remotely via a smartphone app.
Heating Maintenance
Packaged systems, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers all need continual maintenance to stay energy-efficient. Many heating companies offer maintenance agreements, and these can come with myriad benefits. Our plan will furnish you with repair discounts and 24/7 access in case of emergencies.
Upgrading the Heating System
The ENERGY STAR website states that heat pumps over ten years old should be replaced while furnaces and boilers generally need replacing after 15 years. Upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient unit may be expensive, but it will save money in the long run.
For all of your heating and cooling needs, contact Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Conditioning at (513) 422-2070.