You may not think much about your home heating costs here in the Clearwater area since we have such mild winters, but there are several things you can do around your house to reduce heat loss and save money, particularly during occasional cold snaps. These things don’t cost much money upfront, but they will make your home more comfortable this winter and continue to pay off next summer. Stopping heat loss works both ways—you’ll save on winter heating bills and reduce your summer air conditioning load.
You can do most of these things to reduce heat loss yourself, but call a licensed heating contractor if you need expert help:
- Reduce your water heating costs. Turn your water heater setting down so that your hot water is kept at 120 degrees or lower. Also wrap the water heater tank in an insulating blanket to reduce further heat losses.
- Check ductwork for leaks and inadequate insulation. Your ducts can lose a significant amount of heated and cooled air before it reaches its destination. Be sure duct joints are fastened with sheet-metal screws and sealed with mastic to prevent leaks. Insulate your ducts anywhere they run through an unconditioned space such as your attic.
- Seal air leaks in your home’s exterior. Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows to prevent energy losses. Check the places where plumbing and electrical wiring penetrate your walls to be sure the holes around them are well-sealed with caulk.
- Check your roof for damaged shingles. Leaks in your roof can cause structural damage and degrade insulation so that it no longer blocks heat from moving between your living spaces and attic.
- Maintain your furnace. Change your filter regularly. Have your heating contractor come out for an inspection and maintenance call every year. A well-maintained furnace will heat your Florida home efficiently and inexpensively.
Call us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating for more energy-saving tips for your Clearwater home. We’ve been helping homeowners in this area stay comfortable since 1958.
