February 20, 2020

Making Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Among the many expenses you pay as a homeowner, utility bills can be one of the most costly. Keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter requires a large amount of energy, especially when you’re faced with the sometimes extreme weather in St. Louis. To help save money, it’s vital that you take steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency. By keeping conditioned air inside your home, your HVAC system won’t have to run as often, saving you a lot of money. Here are a few tips to help you make your home more energy-efficient.

New Windows

If you have older windows in your residence, they could be costing you dearly when it comes to your energy costs. In addition to being inefficient due to the older technology, they also tend to have gaps around the frame that cause air leaks. Even with these gaps sealed, older windows are quite inefficient at stopping the transfer of heat from inside to outside or outside to inside, depending on the season. New windows, however, use multiple panes of glass with gas between each pane to slow down the flow of energy, thus increasing the energy efficiency of your home.

Use Curtains

Though seemingly oversimplified, curtains can be a great ally in the quest to make your home more energy-efficient. Curtains, especially those made from heavy material, can do a lot to block out the sun’s light and heat in the summer. During the times of day when the sun is shining directly in a room, you can close the curtains to keep a room cooler. In the winter, you can use curtains to keep the colder air by the windows instead of releasing it into the room. Of course, you can also open the curtains to allow the sun’s rays to warm your house.

Check Your HVAC System

Another way to lower your utility bills is to have your HVAC system checked to ensure it’s operating properly. A properly functioning HVAC system will keep your home at the desired temperature with less effort, which means the system will use less electricity and not suffer as much wear and tear.

If your system needs a tune-up or if you have other questions about your home’s energy efficiency, contact Scott-Lee Heating Company today. Our professionals can assist with heating and cooling services throughout the St. Louis area.