Veteran’s Day, November 11, pays tribute to all American Veterans, living or deceased, who served our country honorably during war or peacetime. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.
With temperatures finally starting to drop, it’s time to also think about saving energy and keeping your family comfortable in the Valley of the Sun. Here are some efficient heating tips to stay warm and save money during the upcoming cooler months.
Keep Your Chimney Closed
If your house has a fireplace, don’t forget to keep the damper closed when it’s not being used. You might also want to think about purchasing a chimney balloon, an inflatable device that goes inside the chimney, to help keep cold air outside and warm air from escaping up the chimney. It’s only designed to be used when the chimney is not in use.
Seal Cracks and Ducts
Doors and windows account for the majority of heat loss during cooler weather months. Installing weather stripping and caulking cracks can save you up to 10% on heating expenses. Leaks in ductwork add up to an additional 25% to 30% of heating loss. This is a great opportunity to have your local HVAC professionals conduct an energy audit to discover all the areas where warm air is leaking outdoors. Plus, $150 of the energy audit is eligible for a tax credit on your federal taxes.
Ceiling Fans
You can adjust your ceiling fans to help save additional energy. All you need to do is flip the switch to spin the blades clockwise. This will push warm air near the ceiling back down to the floor.
Adjust the Temperature Down
You’ll want to switch over the thermostat setting to either heat or to the heat and cool setting. 68 degrees is the best setting for saving energy during the cooler months. Lowering the setting when you’re away or asleep below this setting will save up to an additional 10% on your heating bills.
Inspect and Replace the HVAC Air Filter
Dirty air filters restrict airflow and increase energy usage. A clean air filter can save an additional 4% to 6% on utility bills. It will help prolong the life of your furnace along with twice-yearly servicing.
Contact Bruce’s
Bruce’s has over 50 years of HVAC experience serving customers in Arizona. Call us anytime at 480-968-5652 for professional, quality heating and cooling service.
A heartfelt thank you to all our veterans for your service to our country from Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating.
