Cut Your Heating Bills This Winter

If you want to cut your heating bills this winter, the good news is that taking action to save energy during our relatively mild heating season here in Florida will also reduce your energy costs during the summer.

Get started with these projects to give high energy costs a one-two punch, and dramatically affect your utility bills year-round:

• Seal air leaks – A leaky home means energy losses, no matter the season. Reserve a day this fall to conduct an air-sealing project, closing up leaks and gaps that occur around your home’s exterior shell. Take care to seal air leaks that occur around windows and doors, as well as electrical outlets, light switches, attic hatches and any area where cables, wiring or ducts penetrate through walls, ceilings, etc.
• Upgrade insulation – Without adequate insulation around the home, it will be prone to heat transfer — escaping in the winter and finding its way inside in the summer. Have a trusted HVAC technician advise you on the right type and amount of insulation for your Florida home.
• Use drapes and curtains – On windows that face south and west, the directions from which the sun’s hottest rays shine, use window treatments to your advantage. To accomplish savings in winter, leave curtains or shades open to allow solar energy to penetrate into your home, keeping it warm, then close them in the evening to provide an added layer of insulation from the night-time cold. To save energy during summer, close curtains or shades to help keep the heat out.
• Program your thermostat for savings – With a programmable thermostat in place, it’s easy for homeowners to schedule energy-saving settings. Just set it — and then forget it. However, you’ll want to make sure you re-evaluate the settings from time to time — in both seasons — to ensure that they match when and how you use your home.

For more expert advice on how to lower your home heating bills and simultaneously manage cooling costs, contact NisAir Air Conditioning & Heating today. We serve homeowners in Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.