(Updated for 2024 season)
During the winter season, keeping your home cozy and warm becomes a top priority. But with dropping temperatures outside, it can be challenging to maintain a comfortable indoor environment without cranking up the thermostat and racking up your energy bills. Luckily, there are several simple yet effective ways to keep your home feeling cozy all winter long. From reversing ceiling fans to maintaining your duct system, we’ve got some helpful winter HVAC tips for staying warm and comfortable this season!
Tip #1: Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Did you know that your ceiling fans can actually help keep your home warmer during the winter months? It may sound counterintuitive, but by reversing the direction of your fan blades, they can push warm air from the ceiling back down into the room.
During the summer months, we typically use our ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction to create a cool breeze. But in winter, you should switch them to rotate clockwise instead. This will cause warm air to circulate downwards and help keep rooms feeling cozy.
This simple tip can cut heating costs by as much as 10%!
Remember, using your ceiling fans properly is just one way to save money on heating costs while keeping your home comfortable all season long!
Tip #2: Use a Humidifier
The dry winter air can leave your home feeling uncomfortable and even cause health issues like dry skin, sore throat, and respiratory problems. One way to combat this is by using a humidifier in your home.
A humidifier adds moisture to the air, making it feel warmer and more comfortable. It can also help alleviate some of the health issues caused by dry air. Plus, moist air can actually hold heat better than dry air, so you may be able to turn down your thermostat a bit and still feel warm.
There are several types of humidifiers available on the market today. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks depending on your needs. But either way, a simple humidifier can make all of the difference.
When selecting a humidifier for your home, consider factors such as room size, maintenance requirements (such as changing filters), noise level, and ease of use.
Tip #3: Program Your Thermostat
During the winter season, it’s essential to keep your thermostat in check. However, manually adjusting the temperature can be a hassle and may lead to higher energy bills. This is where programming your thermostat comes in handy.
By setting up a program on your thermostat, you can ensure that the temperature stays within your preferred range automatically. You can program it to run at a lower temperature for those times of the day when you know you won’t be there. You can then schedule it to kick the heat up shortly before you come home, to ensure that you’ll be greeted with a cozy blast of warm air.
Additionally, consider investing in a smart thermostat that allows remote control via an app on your phone or tablet. With this feature, you can adjust the temperature from anywhere with an internet connection, perfect for those hectic days when plans change unexpectedly.
Programming and utilizing a smart thermostat helps reduce energy consumption while keeping your home cozy during colder months. Plus, not having to constantly fiddle with manual adjustments.
Tip #4: Maintain Your Duct System
The duct system in your home is responsible for distributing warm air throughout the house during winter. However, if it’s not maintained properly, you may experience uneven heating or high energy bills.
Even the best HVAC equipment won’t do you any good if your duct system is in a state of disrepair; in the same way, a strong heart needs unobstructed (and definitely fully sealed) veins to work effectively. If you haven’t had your ductwork inspected in a while, it’s a good idea to do so before it gets too cold.
If your ductwork has holes, blockage, or air leaks, your system has to work that much harder to compensate. This means more work, and a higher utility bill, to heat your home.
By maintaining and have your ducts cleaned, you’ll not only ensure an efficient heating process but also improve indoor air quality for you and your family during winter months.
Tip #5: New Filters
One of the most important things to do when preparing your home for the winter season is to replace your HVAC air filters. Dirty and clogged filters can lower your system’s efficiency, causing it to work harder and use more energy. This can lead to higher utility bills and even system breakdowns.
By replacing your air filters regularly, you’ll not only ensure that the warm air in your home is circulating properly but also improve the overall indoor air quality. Clean filters help trap dust, pet dander, allergens from plants, and molds before they circulate around your house.
How often should you replace your filters? Well, it depends on various factors such as how many pets you have at home or if someone in the family has allergies or asthma.
Make sure to check with a professional about which kind of filter works best for your needs as well, there are different types like pleated or HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) options available that offer better filtration than standard fiberglass ones.
Tip #6: Replace Weather Stripping
Replacing weather stripping is an important step in keeping your home cozy during the winter season. The stripping around doors and windows can wear out or become damaged over time, allowing cold air to seep through and warm air to escape.
To replace weather stripping, you’ll need to first remove the old strips. This can be done by pulling it off or using a putty knife to loosen any adhesive. Once removed, clean the area thoroughly before applying new weather stripping.
There are a few different types of weather-stripping available on the market, such as foam tape, felt strips, and door sweeps. Choose which one works best for your needs based on the location of where it will be installed.
When installing new weather stripping, make sure it fits tightly against both sides of the opening without blocking its ability to easily open and close.
By replacing worn-out weatherstripping with new materials that fit snugly around openings in your home’s exterior walls (such as those found around windows), you’ll help keep warm air inside while also blocking drafts from coming in!
Apply These Tips to Stay Warm This Winter
With these winter season tips, you can keep your home cozy and comfortable all winter long. Reversing your ceiling fans, using a humidifier, programming your thermostat, maintaining your duct system, replacing filters regularly and weather stripping are simple but effective ways to make sure that the cold weather doesn’t affect the warmth of your home.
By following these winter HVAC tips you can enjoy a warm and cozy home during this beautiful yet chilly time of year!
If you need help replacing your furnace or filters for winter, give us a call here at Thomas Service Company.