LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – When temperatures drop, many turn to the thermostat, and winterizing your home will save you money.
One simple option suggested by the US Department of Energy is to open curtains. This allows sunlight to naturally heat the house and closes the windows at night to reduce the chill from cold windows. Homeowners are encouraged to maintain their heating system.
“The most important thing we ask our customers to do is make sure you have your systems inspected annually,” said Strickland Plumbing and HVAC technician Anthony Vallejo.
Vallejo said HVAC systems start working overtime once temperatures drop.
“They're going to be working a lot harder, so they're trying to keep up, so those parts overheat and just get overwhelmed,” he said.
Vallejo says you can save money by cleaning or replacing furnace filters, annual furnace inspection and maintenance, and sealing air leaks around windows and doors.
He also recommended keeping temperatures between 68 and 71 degrees depending on your comfort level. To ensure these temperatures are maintained, Vallejo said it's a good idea to install modern thermostats.
“Older thermostats don’t measure as well, causing the device to run much longer and less efficiently,” he explained.
For homes that use exterior window units, Vallejo recommends covering them to prevent cold air from entering your home.
“Over the outside unit they could put a cover, a tarp, wherever that may be,” he said.
Experts also recommend setting ceiling fans in homes to rotate clockwise. This helps distribute the warm air.
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