Spend Less and Stay Warm
The wintertime presents homeowners with a great conundrum. Is it better to save money and stay cold or be comfortable and break the budget? Why not be able to do both? Homeowners don’t need to sacrifice high bills for comfort. By taking advice from local experts, every homeowner can lower heating costs while staying warm and cozy. Here are a few tips that can make all the difference.
Utilize Ceiling Fans Even in the Winter
Ceiling fans are indispensable during the summer because they make certain spaces feel cooler than they are. However, they are equally helpful in the winter when people know how to use them correctly.
During the summer, the air stream from a fan cools the people below. In the winter, the same would happen if a downdraft were created. Instead, by changing the direction of the fan, fans can be made to create an updraft.
The updraft will mix the warmer air near the ceiling with cooler air from below and push downwards around the edges of the room so no draft is created. To verify the direction of ceiling fans, remember:
- Counterclockwise creates a downdraft and is appropriate for the summer.
- Clockwise creates an updraft and helps push warmed air down into spaces with no draft.
Change Air Filters Regularly
If there is one DIY task that every owner needs to remember, it is air filter replacement. Air filter replacement is a simple way to reduce wear and tear on the AC and heater and keep the air clean in the home.
What most people don’t realize is that regular air filter changes also lower heating and cooling bills. Blowers within HVAC systems need unimpeded airflow to move air around the home effectively.
If airflow is impeded, efficient cooling isn’t possible, and the home will heat unevenly. The biggest interruption in airflow is an air filter clogged with dust and debris. By changing air filters regularly, the home will stay evenly warm to the point where the thermostat can be lowered.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Maybe the most effective option in this article is installing smart thermostats. Smart thermostats have been around long enough that many have tried them and seen their benefits. By taking advantage of the latest technology, homeowners can greatly lower their bills with the simple upfront installation cost.
Smart thermostats lower the total heater usage by using the latest advancements in algorithms and machine learning. Smart devices in the home integrate into the smart thermostat to help understand when people leave the home and go to bed.
Using this information along with tracking features available on smartphones, smart thermostats allow the home to cool during the day, reducing the number of heating cycles.
After a schedule has been made, with input from the owner, the home will cool when no one is around and heat up when people are on their way back. These devices generally save enough money to offset the installation cost within a year or two, all without making anyone uncomfortable.
About Laney's Inc.
Laney's Inc. provides honest and accurate advice regarding heating options. Their teams handle heater repairs, installations, and maintenance to ensure reliable and efficient heating during the winter. Call today for heater service in Fargo, ND.
