December 7, 2023

Winter Tips for Keeping Warm & Cutting Costs

Now that winter has arrived, it’s time to find ways to keep warm without spiking the energy bill. Often, energy bills will have a surge in the winter due to the use of heat to accommodate for the bitter cold outside.

At Tindall & Ranson, we’re here to provide some helpful tips for keeping warm and cutting energy costs this winter!

Embrace the Sun 

Even in the winter, the sun provides enough heat to help you stay warm. Keep your curtains open during the day, which will allow the sun to come in through the windows to help heat your home (similar to a greenhouse effect). Of course, you’ll want to keep your windows closed at night to ensure that you don’t lose the heat.

Shut Vents in Empty Rooms

Whether you have unused guest rooms, or the kids are away at college, keeping the doors to these rooms closed and making sure that the vents are shut is a great way to cut down on energy costs. Because these rooms are empty, there’s no need to heat them, allowing you to maximize your heater’s efforts to occupied rooms in your home.

Locate Leaks & Plug Them

Leaks can be frustrating when you’re trying to get the most out of your HVAC system without losing any of the precious heat. Leaks can appear around any doors to the outside, but they can also occur in the attic and basement. Utilize caulk or weather stripping to prevent cold air from seeping in.

Reverse Fan Flow

Fans are very effective at keeping a cool airflow in your home during the warmer seasons, but with winter, you may want to reverse their flow. Flipping the switch on your fan will cause it to flow in the opposite direction, which creates an updraft, which will help spread warm air through your home.

Cook More

Soups and stews are a common meal to cook during the winter. These also require a lot of time in the oven or on the stove. By cooking these lengthy dishes, the oven and stove heat will help warm your home. When you’re done cooking, keep the oven door ajar to help get the most out of its heat.

Plan Ahead with Your Thermostat

There’s no point in blasting the heat when no one’s home, so ensuring that your thermostat is lowered is vital (but always keep it around 55-60 degrees to help prevent pipe-freeze). When everyone is up and active in the home, keep the thermostat set to something acceptable. However, when it’s time for bed, you can lower it to prevent wasted energy.

Schedule Service for Your HVAC System & Water Heater

Before winter, or in the early days before the frost arrives, you’ll want to schedule service to your HVAC system and water heater to ensure that they’re operating smoothly. If there’s an issue that goes undetected, not only could it result in rising energy costs, but it could break down, leaving your home without heat in the winter.

Contact Tindall & Ranson for Help this Winter

Keeping your home and loved ones warm is vital in the winter. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of any issues, or you’re dealing with an HVAC emergency, you can always look to Tindall & Ranson for help!

Contact us!