Thursday, February 28, 2019

With winter winding down, use the break in weather to inventory how your home was impacted over the past few frosty months, and how you can prep it for future cold blasts.

"An important lesson for homeowners is to simply be prepared year-round," says Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing & Heating. "Energy bills soared for many residents fighting the cold, but now is a great time to take steps to improve your home's efficiency before the next surprising cold front or heatwave."

The Petri Plumbing & Heating team recommends checking the following and making adjustments as necessary:

Are the doors and windows properly sealed? The amount of conditioned air that can escape from doors and windows, whether warm or cool, can have a startling impact on monthly energy bills. It is a good practice to check the seal around each door and window between seasons, replacing brittle and cracked weather stripping and re-caulking as necessary.

Are vents and returns throughout the home clean and clear? Restricted air flow can negatively affect the HVAC system's efficiency. If vents collect too much dust and debris, it takes longer to condition living spaces to the desired temperatures. Partially or completely obstructing vents with furniture can have an even greater impact, so take the time to thoroughly clean all vents and make sure they are all clearly visible and not covered in any way.

Have the HVAC filters been routinely changed? Much like keeping the returns clean, it is imperative to change the HVAC filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If there are pets in the home, the filter should be changed even more frequently to ensure optimum performance and efficiency.

Has the HVAC system had a routine tune-up within the last 12 months? More than a simple filter change, a professional HVAC system tune-up is a thorough inspection and cleaning of the entire unit intended to maximize operating efficiency and detect any issues that may be developing unnoticed.

Source: Petri Plumbing & Heating

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