How Can I Improve My Home Heating Efficiency?

In this day and age, people are always looking at how they can make their homes more energy-efficient. They will do anything in their power to conserve energy to lower their monthly utility bills.

Heating and cooling account for nearly half of the total utility bills. This expense is why the first step towards being energy-efficient is making the heating and cooling systems as efficient as possible.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not as difficult to implement measures to conserve energy. A few simple steps, most of which are habits that don't require any technical expertise, can make a big difference. Here are a few things to try to improve that will improve home heating efficiency:

Improve Insulation

Poorly insulated homes cannot maintain interior temperatures.  This issue becomes more apparent during the cold winter months. The warm air provided by the heating unit seeps to the outside, making your heating unit work harder and longer to compensate for the heat loss. Working longer and harder equals more energy consumption.  Higher energy consumption means higher bills.

Consider Replacing Old Windows

Old windows are one major cause of the spike in monthly utility bills, mainly because your old windows have less insulating capabilities as compared to the new models.

Replace old style with vinyl-framed double panel windows as they have better insulation properties than single-pane windows with aluminum frames. If that's not enough, install window tints to further help in fully encapsulating the home with insulated windows.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Installing one will increase heating efficiency tremendously. Why? Because a programmable thermostat allows more functionality and control on when and how to heat the home. It also allows multiple settings to adjust the temperature at different times of the day.  These additional features translate for more energy-efficient heating.

To maximize efficiency, a thermostat setting must be first set close to the outside temperature and gradually adjusted to a more comfortable level. The closer the interior temperature stays to the outdoor temperature, the lower the energy bills will be.

Ensure the Ducting is Unobstructed

All heating units must be free from dust and debris to function efficiently. This outside material can clog the system, interrupting the smooth airflow and forcing the system to work harder, which equates to higher utility bills. Openings must have an unobstructed airflow to function efficiently, so ensure that no furniture or other materials are blocking the openings.

For more information on building an energy-efficient home, contact Grayson Homes at 919-578-6222.