While Houston is well known for sweltering summers, the winters here can be quite chilly. Mission AC & Plumbing wants to help you and your family keep warm, but we also want to save you money on heating bills. Here are a few ways to keep your home’s temperature well-balanced in the winter without freezing out your bank account or needing unnecessary heating repair.
Proper Settings
The key to winter comfort is knowing the proper setting for your thermostat. In the winter, you want to keep your thermostat at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re at home and dial it down by 10 degrees when you aren’t at home. This temperature is the most energy-efficient winter temperature according to the Department of Energy. When it’s time for bed, you can lower the temperature to account for the fact that you’ll be warmer with blankets and more comfortable with a lower temperature. Then you can snuggle in!
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Another option for keeping your home comfortable in the winter is installing a programmable thermostat. What’s great about these thermostats is that you don’t have to manually change the settings when you’re at home, when you’re about to head out or when it’s time for bed. Once you learn how to set it, you can program it to change temperatures throughout the day according to your preferences and take away the task of doing it yourself.
One thing to keep in mind with programmable thermostats is that you want to pay attention to where you install them. For instance, it’s best that you not install them near sources of heat or cold, such as fireplaces, skylights, windows or doorways. This is because the ambient heat or cold might make the thermostat think it’s colder or hotter than it actually is, affecting the whole home’s temperature.
Have Your Furnace Serviced
Simply tuning up your furnace or heat pump can not only keep your home more comfortable but save you money on your heating bills as well. Older appliances aren’t as efficient as newer ones, and they can take longer to heat up your home. Get into the habit of having your furnace serviced before the winter season to ensure everything is in proper working order in time for the first cold snap.
Being proactive also goes a long way in allowing you to save money for a new furnace if your current one is on its last legs. This is preferable to a sudden breakdown in the middle of winter and receiving the news that you need a new furnace, an expense you might not be prepared for.
Think Outside the Box
Servicing your furnace, knowing the proper thermostat setting and installing a programmable thermostat aren’t the only ways to keep yourself and your home comfortable during the colder months of the year. A little ingenuity most certainly goes a long way in keeping your heating bills down and your satisfaction levels high. Here are a few tips to keep you warm this winter without breaking the bank.
- Wear extra layers of clothing while inside your home.
- If you normally walk barefoot inside your home, consider wearing socks.
- Throwing down thick rugs on bare floors.
- While you’re getting your furnace serviced, be sure your filters are changed so your system operates more efficiently.
- During sunny days, throw open the curtains to let the sunlight help heat up your home.
If you experience drafts, have your property professionally inspected for leaks around doors, windows and electrical outlets. You can fix these by replacing the weatherstripping and sealing cracks. If it’s going to be a while before you can get rid of the drafts, consider repositioning furniture away from drafty areas for greater comfort.
Don’t forget about your hot water heater while winterizing the rest of your home. It’s best to lower the temperature to 120 degrees in the winter so that you don’t experience a loss of thermal energy, which can result in higher heating bills.
Mission AC is always here to provide you with tips and advice to get the most out of your home’s systems. We hope you use these tips to make your home feel like a warm paradise in the heart of winter.
Contact us today for more information or to begin a service request.
