Winters in San Antonio aren’t too severe, but temperatures can drop to frigid lows quite suddenly. It’s hard to get out of bed when you’re waking up to a freezing house. For most of us, our home heating system is our saving grace from late December to February. The last thing you need on an icy night is a broken heater. Follow these three simple guidelines for helpful ways to save on heating costs and to find out the best way to heat a house during the winter.
Find And Seal Leaks
A tiny draft can turn into a big problem when you’re trying to stay warm. Chilly air from outside usually gets in through gaps in your windows and doors. Weatherstripping around your doors and windows will keep warm air from escaping. It’s an easy “do it yourself” job; kits are inexpensive and available at any home improvement store. For a heavier duty solution, add insulation to your walls and attic. Up to 20% of heat is lost through the seemingly insignificant holes and cracks throughout your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Fine Tune The Thermostat
Winter heater temperature settings can be difficult to maintain. The DOE estimates that you can save as much as 10% on your heating costs every year by lowering your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day. A great time to do this is when you’re at work or asleep. If you do both, you’ll be looking at major savings! In the meantime, try to keep your thermostat at the lowest temperature comfortable for you while you’re at home. A programmable thermostat can make these adjustments incredibly easy for homeowners.
Maintain Your Heating System
Scheduling maintenance on your heating system can give you the peace of mind that all the heat you’re paying for is being properly distributed throughout your home. An experienced professional can run the proper diagnostics to tell whether there are any problems with your refrigerant levels or any other components that might need attention.
Another telltale sign of a broken heater is uneven temperatures between the rooms in your home. There may be some easy things you can do yourself, like cleaning or replacing your filters and keeping vents clean and unobstructed.
ABC Can Keep Your Home Warm In Winter
Although we don’t use our heaters much in the southern states, we do need then when the temperature drops. If you need a professional to check out your heating system and make sure it’s working properly, ABC Home & Commercial Services is just a phone call away. Our HVAC specialists will diagnose and resolve your heating issue so your home is comfortable and cozy during the colder months of the year.
