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Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Cutting Down On Home Heating Costs

GREENVILLE, S.C. - This latest cold spell is spurring many homeowners to get their heat checked.


“Our service department has been hammered with phone calls,” said Ross King of Dipple Heating And Air.


We caught up with him at a house in Greenville where a service tech was inspecting the furnace.


King recommends every homeowner get their system inspected twice a year: Once before summer and again now before winter.


And don’t forget about those air filters. King says you should change them out once a month because a dirty one makes your system work harder.


“They need as much air coming into them as they do going out. When you have a clogged filter or a thick filter, it restricts the air flow coming into the system. So thin filters, very inexpensive filters and change them regularly is the best way to keep them going,” said King.


And if you still have an old thermostat with the lever, ditch it for a digital one, preferably one you can program. According to the Energy Department, you can save 10% a year on heating costs by using a programmable thermostat.


“If you’re going to work for the day or just out to the store, you can change your thermostat a few degrees. The system actually works a lot harder to try to bring your home up to temperature if you come down ten degrees. The only time I would ever bring your thermostat down by ten plus degrees is if you’re gone for an extended period of time,” said King.


Another way to save this winter is through your water heater. According to the Energy Department, it accounts for up to 25% of energy used in the home. It recommends turning down the water heater temperature to the “warm” setting.


And when in doubt, ask your heating or energy company how you can save. For instance through Duke Energy, eligible homeowners can get a free in-home energy assessment. You can sign up online. Or call 844.DING.DONG (844.346.4366).


For more tips to cut down your heating bill, click here.



Cutting Down On Home Heating Costs

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