7 Ways to Winterize Your Home on a Budget

There are plenty of steps Fairfax, VA, homeowners can take to winterize their home. By doing so, you’ll reduce your energy bills during the colder months of the year. Read on to learn more about how to winterize your home easily.

Change the Filters

Regularly swapping out those dirty air filters for fresh ones improves airflow and reduces energy costs. You should change your furnace filters every one to three months during the heating season. If you own pets, you’re better off changing your filters more often because of pet dander and fur.

New filters typically cost an average of $10. Depending on which type of filter your system requires, they may cost a bit more, but they’re still a great value when you consider that they keep your heater running efficiently all winter.

Drain Air Conditioner Hoses and Pipes

Once you’ve turned your air conditioner off for the winter, it’s important to drain any hoses and pipes to avoid pooled water in the equipment. When water isn’t drained, it can freeze and damage your AC unit. If your air conditioner has a water shut-off valve, switch it off.

Block Drafts

It doesn’t take any money to block those pesky drafts under doors and around windows. While investing in a permanent solution like weatherstripping or upgraded windows is ideal, you can use quick solutions to stop energy waste.

A simple rolled-up towel placed against the bottom of a drafty door works in a pinch. If you’re crafty, you can even make a draft snake from scraps of fabric. The same concept works for windows. Use towels or fabric scraps to fill in any gaps, or secure the windows with clear plastic for extra insulation.

Schedule an HVAC Tuneup

Just like your car needs an annual tuneup, so does your HVAC system. It’s never too late to schedule heating maintenance. Of course, the best time is in the early fall. But we’re available throughout the entire heating season to perform this critical service.

Regular HVAC maintenance ensures your system is clean and working properly. An annual HVAC tuneup also saves you money in the long run via lower repair, replacement and energy costs.

Check the Thermostat

Thermostats are designed to give you years of service, but they can be finicky. If you accidentally bumped the thermostat, this could affect the reading and furnace performance. As a result, it ‘ll be difficult for you to heat your home comfortably, and you could also see higher energy bills. Checking your thermostat to make sure that it is calibrated properly will help you to save money through the winter.

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, it’s time to make that upgrade so that you can start saving money. It’s well worth the investment, and it won’t take long before you see the difference on your utility bill.

Lower the Water Heater’s Temperature

You may think your home requires more hot water during the winter months, but this simply isn’t the case. You should keep your water heater’s temperature at 120 degrees or lower. Doing so reduces your utility bill by a noticeable amount, and your family won’t even notice the difference.

Reverse Ceiling Fan Rotation

Ceiling fans are great for providing a cooling breeze during the summer, but they’re also great for the winter months. When you set the blades to turn in a clockwise direction, they push hot air downward. Be sure that you’ve reversed the rotation since a counterclockwise direction creates a cooling effect. To change the rotation of your ceiling fan, look for the option on your remote control or the small button on the housing just below the blades on the fan.

Let us make sure your home is helping you save energy and money this winter. Call Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a heating repair, maintenance visit or another one of our HVAC services.

Image provided by Shutterstock