Making these easy, inexpensive changes will save you big bucks this winter on your HVAC Heating costs. This winter, many people are facing much higher HVAC heating bills. The costs of fuel oil and electricity are rising, and natural gas prices are up to 50 percent higher than last year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Slash Your HVAC System Heating Bills! As fuel prices rise, its tempting to look for the single solution that will shave off a large part of your heating bill, but there are numerous ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Many of these are simple, inexpensive steps that can reduce your energy use and bring you immediate savings. You also should keep in mind home improvements that will lead to long-term savings, including purchasing more efficient windows, additional insulation or a Green Energy Star efficient HVAC heating system. When you are building a home, remodeling or buying a new HVAC heating system, choosing an HVAC system with energy efficient options can bring you significant savings over time. Energy efficiency should not be a hardship, in fact, it can be very rewarding. Not only is increasing the energy efficiency of your home a step toward a sustainable use of fuel and less pollution, it also offers you greater security and independence, lower energy bills and can make your home a more comfortable place to live.
Adjust the HVAC Heating thermostat! The most obvious way to reduce your fuel use is to turn down the thermostat. Think of it as a valve between your fuel supplier and your wallet. For every degree you turn it down, you will use up to 3 percent less heating energy. A 10-degree setback overnight or while you are at work will cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent. When you use a programmable thermostat, you save energy without even thinking about it. Program your thermostat to simply adjust the settings, turning the temperature down automatically while youre away from home. Keep in mind that it takes only about 15 minutes to heat your home to a comfortable level. Never adjust the thermostat above the desired temperature as doing so will not heat your home any faster. Some heating systems allow you to provide temperature control to different heat via zones in the house. If you are installing a new heating system, make sure you have enough zone control to keep seldom used areas of the house at cooler temperatures
Repair Drafty Windows! Older windows are often big energy wasters. When you are ready to invest in new windows, many energy efficient options are available. Before you buy, you should know there are several inexpensive repairs that can improve the performance of your current windows. When assessing the condition of your windows, look for the number of panes of glass and how tightly the windows close. If the sashes and frames are rotten, then it is time to think about new windows. Any drafts you feel when standing next to a window are likely due to air infiltration around the window frame or sash perimeter. Address drafts by installing sash locks and weatherstripping around the perimeter of the window. For double hung windows, consider side-mounted sash locks that pull the window tight to the sides of the frame, not just where the sash rails meet. You can remove the inside trim surrounding the window to see how it was installed into the framing cavity. Any air space between the house shell and the window frame can cause significant air leakage and should be sealed. If the gap is not too wide, then it can be sealed with caulk, backer rod or non-expanding foam. For windows with ropes and pulleys, buy pulley seals to stop air infiltration there. You can reduce heat loss through windows by covering them with plastic window film or insulating window inserts, such as those available at www.windotherm.com. Another option is to make simple window quilts by sandwiching a piece of Bubble Wrap between two pieces of cloth material, which can be rolled up and down as needed.
Before you buy a new HVAC heating system, consider low-cost maintenance and relatively inexpensive upgrades, which offer significant energy savings to anyone with a furnace, boiler or HVAC heating and HVAC air conditioning combination system. Preventive maintenance you can do yourself is the best way to begin maximizing the efficiency and life of your heating system. Spending what may seem like a large amount of money to upgrade insulation in a new or existing home can offer significant savings during the long-term ownership of your home. If your budget is limited, consider taking advantage of the Energy Tax Credit available through December 2010 from the Stimulus Bill for the purchase of a new Green Energy Star HVAC Heating System.