Nebraska weather is volatile, especially throughout the winter months. Extreme arctic temperatures leave you relying heavily on your heating system for comfort. With this reliance comes high heating costs if you aren’t mindful. However, with a few tips and professional upgrades, you can stay cozy and warm in your home without seeing a spike in your energy bill this winter.
1. Seal Out the Cold
The simplest way to combat the Omaha freeze is to keep your home sealed. Close all the windows and make sure they are tightly shut and sealed if needed. Limit trips in and out through the doors to prevent letting the cold in. This keeps the warmth inside and helps your furnace work a little less.
2. Bundle Up
No, you don’t have to put on coats and overalls to stay warm in your home. Snuggle into a comfy sweater, put on long pants, and slide around in your favorite fuzzy socks when the temperatures dip below freezing. Curl up under a blanket while lounging around the house, and add extra layers to the bed in winter. These extra layers can help you stay warm without turning up the thermostat.
3. Change the Filters
Your furnace has air filters that keep dust and contaminants out of your system. Change these filters regularly, usually every one to three months depending on the type. Clogged filters create more stress on the system and can even lead to poor indoor air quality.
4. Schedule Heating Maintenance
Schedule maintenance for your furnace every year before the winter weather sets in to ensure appliance is ready for the cold. Annual maintenance involves inspection, cleaning, and tuning to ensure your furnace is in proper working condition to handle the brutal winter conditions without added stress and strain. A clean and tuned system works more efficiently, keeping your costs down. Our maintenance plans make it easy not to forget and include perks like priority service and discounts if you end up needing any repairs to get your furnace winter-ready.
5. Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning
Experts recommend professional duct cleaning every three to five years to remove buildup inside your HVAC air ducts. This buildup can narrow the passageway through the ducts or even lead to blockages. Dirty ducts mean that hot air cannot travel as easily to the vents and may be lost in the ductwork, causing your furnace to work longer and harder to bring your home to the ideal temperature.
6. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat lets you set the temperature in your home based on your schedule and routine so that you can enjoy total comfort without having to constantly adjust the device. You can set the system to a cooler temperature while the house is empty and program it to have your home warm and cozy by the time you return.
7. Upgrade Your Furnace
Older heating systems lose efficiency with time due to wear and tear on the parts and components inside. If your system is more than 10 years old, keep an eye on your heating costs, and call us for replacement when the bill starts to climb. Our technicians can help you find and install a new furnace that meets your heating needs and fits your home to give you efficient heating.
8. Switch to a Heat Pump
Heat pump systems utilize air from the ground to help heat your home, creating an environmentally friendly and highly efficient heating option. These systems pump warm air into your home while pushing the cold air out, providing ideal winter heating. As an added bonus, heat pumps provide cooling to combat the summer heat as well, and they connect easily to your existing ductwork.
Your Home Heating Experts
At Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC, we know how much the extreme Nebraska seasons affect your heating and cooling bills. We work hard to help you combat these costs through trusted HVAC maintenance as well as heating repair service and installations. We also offer ductless mini-split air conditioning systems and heat pumps as alternate methods for heating and cooling your home efficiently. Our technicians can help you improve your indoor air quality as well, so you can achieve all-around comfort in your Omaha home.
Cut the costs of heating in Omaha this winter by hiring our experts at Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC for all your essential HVAC work.
