Save By Preparing For Winter

Getting ready for winter often means changing to warmer clothes and taking stock of mittens and hats. But it's also a good idea to prepare your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter, too - especially if you want to keep energy bills down.

Heating can account for almost half of the average family's winter energy bill, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Taking a few steps now will help your furnace and other heating components operate more efficiently throughout the winter, helping you save money. So this winter we would like to offer the following tips for winter home readiness:

Program your thermostat. If you don't have a programmable thermostat, this is the year to get one. Resetting the temperature from a constant 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (perhaps during the day while you and your family are less likely to be home) can cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent, according to energy.gov. Some models even allow you to pre-set different temperatures for every day of the week according to your family's schedules.

Seal heating and cooling ducts. Leaks in the ducts that move air within your system can be big energy wasters. Sealing the ducts that run through attics, crawl spaces, unheated basements and garages can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent. Use duct sealant or metal-backed tape to seal the seams and connections, and then wrap the ducts in insulation.

Upgrade to newer technology. If your furnace is more than 15-20 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. With the passage of the U.S. Economic Stimulus Bill, homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit if they purchase certain types of HVAC systems between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010.

Clean or replace filters. A dirty furnace filter can slow down the air flow in your heating system and make it work harder than necessary. Your furnace will work less hard, use less energy and last longer if you clean or replace filters monthly, or at minimum, every three months.

Schedule a HVAC checkup. As you schedule checkups to keep your family healthy, do the same for your home's heating system. An HVAC professional can perform a routine maintenance checkup to ensure all components of your heating and cooling system are operating properly and safely, and advise you on ways to improve energy efficiency.

Schedule an infrared heat loss survey. If you really want to know where your losing heat this winter and increase the efficency of your home have an infrared heat loss survey performed. An infrared heat loss survey allows a trained professional the ability to pinpoint heat losses in a home's exterior walls, doors, windows, attic spaces, duct work and more.

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