Good Lifestyle

Inside aHot and comfortable house is the ideal place to be when the temperature drops. But keeping the heat on the move becomes an expensive proposal with the fluctuation of prices and the availability of fuel. By the recent department of energy numbers, public service invoices are on$ 2,000 per year For typical American household, and the heating of an average house explains about$ 900 of that, according to Consumer Reports.

But whether your house is old or new, there are things that we often neglect that allow cold air inside and make the oven or the radiator harder to keep it toasted. Fortunately, the professionals in improving the house know exactly where to look for - and what not to neglect. Read the rest to get advice directly from experts on what you could hurt when it comes to keeping cold remotely.

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Placing your thermostat in an area that gets a direct sun is a great non-no. "This is sometimes a problem in larger houses with a single central thermostat," explainsRyan Meagher of a residential construction companyContract bvm. "Several times, if you have your thermostat at the main level of a house, the temperature it reads is not the average temperature of all rooms at all levels of the house."

To help balance your thermostat during the winter months, lower the temperature while you are absent, suggestBrian and Mika Kleinschmidt, Stars of hgtv's100 -day dream house. "A good directive for winter is to fix it at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) when you are at home and lower it (about 10-12 degrees fahrenheit or 6-8 degrees Celsius) at night or When you are absent. You can save up to 10% per year in heating and cooling costs by donating the thermostats from 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day. "

Another error is not to use a programmable thermostat.Shaun Martin, owner and CEO of DenverThe house purchase company, Says that these regulate the temperature of your home, you do not heat it or cool it only when necessary. "This can save you money on your energy bills and help keep your home at a comfortable temperature."

You know how to go up your clocks, but did you know that you should also operate your ceiling fan in the opposite direction in winter?

"Make sure to adjust the adjustment of one of your ceiling fans to run clockwise for the winter," advisesBill Samuel, an approved entrepreneur with a residential real estate developer in the Chicago RegionBlue scale development. "If you look at the base of your fan, you should be able to find a small switch that will change the direction that the blades move if you do not have a remote control. A ceiling fan operating in the time direction will help create an ascending current And to circulate hot air in your whole house. "

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According to Meagher, one of the most common errors that can bring cold air is not to check the drafts. "Check all doors and windows for all cracks or gaps where the heat could escape. You can often feel a project if you put your hand near the opening. Sell the areas of Radoue with an inarti passage and the common cold. "

If your attic is not properly isolated, the heat can escape through the roof and make your house feel colder than it should.

"Make sure your attic is sufficiently isolated by checking the insulation level and adding more if necessary," says Martin. "This will help you keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer."

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In the fall, hire a professional to inspect your CVC system, in particular your heating units. Do not report the heating problems before the colder months, when the schedules are tight and the service fees can increase.

"Even the most energy efficient electric radiators can work badly and have become colder during the winter," notesRobert Johnson, marketing director atCoastal devices. "It is important to ensure that your radiators are in good working order with clean filters and lubricated components to avoid thermoregulation problems and an excessive failure."

Alex Capozzolo, co-founder of San DiegoGuys SD House, says that one of the most common errors that people are making is not to change their return air filter. "A dirty air filter will restrict the air flow and make your heating system harder, which can cause higher energy bills and a colder house. Make sure you check your air filter monthly and change it if necessary. "AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

The Kleinschmidts also highlight the importance of checking air filters. "According to the Ministry of Energy, obstructed filters are an additional cost and ensure that your home has its own can save up to $ 30 per month. Air filters must be changed every 90 days, except contrary indication of packaging or manufacturer. "

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The leakage of the conduits is probably not the first thing in the minds of people when the cold settles, but it is important with regard to the quality of the indoor air, the energy bills and the regulation temperature, according toJason Powell, founder of Las VegasBreathe cleaning clean air ducts.

"Most owners lose 20% or more of air conditioning than their AC / heating units grow," explains Powell. "This is due to the leakage of the conduits and is the result of small holes and real gaps in all residential conduits. There is a new technology that helps seal these shortcomings for good."

Grenier bypass is another major way of a house can lose heat, and they can lead to scary things called icy dams. "These bypasss are invisible passages where the inner heat escapes in the attic," explainsJoe Palumbo, president of the based minneapolisIce dam guys. "If your house is installed properly, your interior heat must remain in the plate in the living space and not escape in the attic. When it does, that heats the attic abnormally and it becomes too hot compared to temperatures outdoor freezing. Warming enough snow on your roof to melt but not enough to escape your roof. So this mass of snow is pissing with the gutters and ends up freezing. It is an ice dam, And they are incredibly destructive and can be expensive to withdraw. "

You can reduce or eliminate these bypass by having a domestic energy audit by a local supplier. They will find bypassing, which are often on or around fireplaces, abandoned ceilings, the top of the interior walls, canned lighting characteristics or where the electric wiring enters the house of the attic.

"The good news is that there is generally a solution that involves tightening a luminaire, adding insulation or adhesive tape, and more," explains Palumbo. "It is simply a question of closing these passages so that the CVC system of your home works effectively and effectively without the previous waste."

Another current error is to keep the vents and the doors closed to try to save energy. Although it may seem like a meaning, you should really do the opposite. By closing them, you restrict the air flow and your heating system works harder, which can lead to a cooler house and colder energy bills.

"The closed doors reduce the air supply," says Meagher. "Since there is no air yields in a house (and generally located in a corridor or a common space) if there is limited power air, the air flow of all Your house can be affected by your closed doors. Your two options to avoid this is to simply keep the closed doors open or to create a vent through the walls of closed doors to allow air to continue to circulate, creating A good flow of air in the rooms you have closed. "

Martin highlights a related error: "If your vents are blocked by furniture or other objects, it can be difficult for the heat to circulate properly." Warm. "

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Kriss Swint, marketing communications director atRoyal Westlake Construction Products, Explains that people tend to ignore stoves and wood chimneys during the hottest months, but it is a good idea to inspect them and maintain them before the cold settles.

"Chimneys can be a source of cold air leaks and other problems in winter," said Swint. "Erase all obstructions, check the shock absorber for the functionality, check the chimney project, inspect the fire lighter in the chimney and have the chimney cleaned. 'need it. "

Keeping your curtains closed all day is another error that contributes to a colder house. Although the isolated curtains can help keep your home warmer, if you have closed them when the sun shines directly on them, you will miss the radiant heat of the sun.

"The starting point for all healthy houses is the lighting of the day," saysDavid Clark, entrepreneur and CEOBasement guides. "It is essential to choose a house that allows inside daylight, especially if you live with children or those who have compromised immune systems. Natural light in a house keeps the interiors warm. A system interior heating is great, but a house must have a lot of sunlight. "