You’ve no doubt noticed that winter has come in full force in Philadelphia. And that always means those high heating costs. So how can you reduce those heating bills without breaking the bank? Here are some tips from your Philadelphia HVAC experts at Affordable Fixes LLC.<\/p>\n
This may be a \u201cduh\u201d answer, but most people don\u2019t appreciate how much they can save with just a small thermostat adjustment. In fact, for each degree you lower your setting over a 24-hour period, you can save up to 3 percent during that time period. Consider especially lowering your setting while you are asleep.<\/p>\n
You heard right, use those fans on a low setting in order to circulate the air that gets trapped at the ceiling. Hot air rises. Getting it to circulate brings it down where it is needed and allows it to feel warmer.<\/p>\n
Make sure your vents or radiators are free from obstructions and not blocked by furniture of floor coverings. You want warm air to be able to circulate freely around the room. You will also want to keep your vents and radiators clean and dust free. Not only does dust and dirt clog circulation but it can be a big allergen in the home.<\/p>\n
Your home can lose 10 to 25 percent of its heat due to windows. Make sure to seal around windows and doors and any leaks around your home. Open shades on the south side of the home facing any sun during the daylight hours to allow the natural warmth into your home. Make sure windows are covered especially at night when the temperatures dip. Other common places for air leaks are where wires and cables come into the home and around electrical outlets.<\/p>\n
Having adequate insulation is important to keep warmed air inside and cold air outside and can also be a tax-deductible home improvement. Don\u2019t forget to insulate the basement as well.<\/p>\n
Make sure to close your chimney flue when your fireplace isn\u2019t in use, otherwise, you are allowing warm air to escape.<\/p>\n
In order for your furnace to work efficiently, it needs good circulation. A clogged filter is a sure-fire way to reduce the efficiency of your system. This should be done periodically for both furnace and air conditioning systems.<\/p>\n
Thermostats that can adjust your temperature at certain times, even when you aren\u2019t home, can offer substantial savings on your energy bills.<\/p>\n