How can you keep your home warm—minus the excessively high heating bill? Take a look at what homeowners need to know about heating repairs, heating installation services, and some of the most popular supposed-energy reducing shortcuts.
What Are the Top Heating Hacks for Homeowners?
There are more than a few tips, tricks, or hacks that can supposedly reduce HVAC usage and lower home heating bills. Some of the most popular approaches and ideas include closing unused vents, turning on ceiling fans, turning down the thermostat, adding insulation, adding weatherstripping, installing new windows and doors, upgrading air ducts, placing plastic sheeting on the windows, and hanging heavy drapes.
Do These Tips Really Work?
In theory, all of these heating hacks should help to keep your home comfortably warm and reduce HVAC-related costs. But in reality, some are helpful—and others may not save you the money you expect. It's important to choose the tips that work for your home and use them correctly.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing air leaks can save a household between five and 30 percent in energy loss-related costs annually. The Department of Energy also notes that leaky air ducts can result in up to 60 percent heat loss. If you schedule heating repairs and have a professional seal any leaks in your ducts, you could save money on unnecessary heating costs.
Before you invest in energy-efficient upgrades based on tips you've heard or hacks you've seen online, contact an HVAC professional. A qualified contractor can assess your home's energy needs, look for leaks or areas of significant loss, and repair these areas.
How Can You Reduce Heat Loss and Improve Energy Use?
An energy audit reveals you have air leaks in your home. Should you start sealing everything with weatherstripping and add extra insulation? To effectively reduce energy and air losses, ask an HVAC contractor where to focus on and what products to use.
Retail weatherstripping or insulation you buy online may not completely solve the problems or could fail prematurely (if the product doesn't have the quality level that you would expect). Likewise, poor or incorrect installation can reduce the effectiveness and leave your home at risk for energy/heating losses.
Along with simple tips or tricks, you may need to consider a total system overhaul. An old, inefficient heater will cost you money over time. Talk to an HVAC contractor about the efficiency level of your current heater and discuss the energy-saving options. Newer models can reduce fuel usage and help you to save money on utility bills over time.