Summer Efforts To Reduce Winter Heating Costs

Its summer –the heating system has done its job for the year – but did it really? Were you warm enough on those cold winter days? Did you suffer a bit of shock when you opened your heating bills this year? The cost to heat your home shouldn't consume so much of your income. Here, you'll find a few things that you can do this summer to lower your heating costs next winter.

Call a Professional HVAC Technician

The very best first step to cutting the cost of heating your home is to call a professional HVAC technician to come out and perform a complete inspection of the system. All that it takes is one small component to malfunction to cause an increase in your heating costs. You find the issue, you cut the cost.

After the inspection, the tech will provide you with any recommendations – this may include replacing the existing furnace. If the furnace in your home is more than 10 years old, it wasn't built with the same energy efficiency standards in place. So, by upgrading to a new system, you could actually reduce the heating cost next year.

Supplement Chilly Spaces

Are there areas of the home that just don't get very warm? Well, there could be lots of things causing the problem. How old are the windows and doors? How well are the walls insulated? Is it in a basement or attic?

Sometimes, chilly spaces are just chilly and it will take far too much work and money to upgrade every element to change that. Instead, you can talk with the heating contractor about the availability of a heating unit just for that space. Mini-split systems can be used in many areas of the home. They can be turned on and off right at the unit – or some have a remote control available – and will maintain a steady temperature in that space. This may be a bigger investment than a small portable heater, but it will be much more efficient and will outlast all of those small units. 

Seal Air Leaks

One final thing to do this summer – inspect your windows and doors for air leaks. This is such an easy and affordable fix that if you don't take the time to do it, you might as well just throw your wallet in the trash. Use a stick of incense to find air leaking in around the windows and doors. Just light it up and watch the smoke as it rises around the area. When the wind causes the smoke to swirl, you've found a leak. Get the caulking gun and seal it up.

Talk to the heating contractor, like those at D & R Service Inc, to learn more about summer efforts to reduce winter heating costs.