5 quick and easy things to do this weekend as we gear up for winter season that can save you time and money this winter!

 

Change your furnace filters

This is a quick way to ensure correct air flow throughout your house. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. If you can’t see light through your current air filter, its time to change.

Run Fans in Reverse

Most people think of fans only when they want to be cool, but many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades. Counterclockwise rotation produces cooling breezes, while switching to clockwise makes it warmer. Air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space—cutting your heating costs as much as 10 percent!

A/C and Waterline Winterized Correctly

This one’s really easy, and it will even save you a few pennies next summer, too: Simply drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes, and make sure you don’t have excess water pooled in equipment. If your A/C has a water shutoff valve, go ahead and turn that off.

Similarly, make sure any hoses are drained and stowed away neatly. Turn off exterior water spigots. It’s also a good idea to seal any water leaks around the place—and don’t forget to remove any window A/C units and store them so you don’t invite cold drafts all winter.

Caulk your windows and Door Frames

To prevent heat from escaping, you can caulk around windows and door frames in your home. Caulking and sealing openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs you can do and it can make a difference on your heating bill too!

Get a Tune Up

In addition to the things you can do yourself, it’s good to have a furnace tune-up done every year as well to help correct minor issues, identify potential problems and help your system run at peak efficiency. Manufacturers recommend you have this annual service performed by a properly trained HVAC technician.