After this summer’s intense heat it might be hard to believe that winter is just around the corner but it’s true! The days are already getting shorter and the leaves have even started to change. Winter is out there, waiting to clutch you in its icy grip. And attack your wallet with higher energy bills. Whether you’ve already bought with us, or are still on your new Utah home search, we at Garbett Homes want to help you stave off the winter chill while saving energy and money. Which is why we wanted to offer you a few tips to help you prepare for the next Utah Winter.
The Sun Is Still Your Friend
Even though the days are shorter they still come with heat generating sunlight most days.. Open the windows that get the most sunlight to help heat up your home naturally. The warmer your home is the less work your HVAC system needs to do and the less energy it consumes. This also lets you live a life more in balance with your natural environment instead of fighting against it.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Regular maintenance is the best way to extend the life of any product. Whether it’s a car, your body, or your HVAC system. Changing out the air filters every 3 months ensures that your air ducts don’t get clogged with dust. While regular tune-ups ensure that you can address issues before they become major problems that hurt your energy efficiency. Making your home use more energy than a Zero Energy Ready Home should and jacking up your energy bill.
Keep Your Thermostat on the Low End of Comfortable
Admit it, unless you’re working in or adjacent to retail, work is probably slower and more relaxed in the deepest depths of winter. There is nothing wrong with that, unless you’re stressing out the previously mentioned retail workers, we should all bring our kindest selves forward during this time of year to them. And just like with retail workers, we should bring that same kindness to our thermostats. Ensuring they work as little as possible to keep our home at a comfortably warm temperature. You don’t need your home to be 75 degrees when 70 will do. This not only conserves energy but it places less stress on the system, allowing it to work longer.
Set the Water Temperature for 120 Degrees Fahrenheit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is plenty hot for showers and washing hands. If you set it hotter you might risk scalding yourself. Keeping it at this temperature should allow you to not only save energy used to heat up the water, beyond what the tankless water heaters in our Garbett Homes already offer, but also conserve water. Allowing all that beautiful snow that will be outside your window to be saved for Utah’s lakes and reservoirs.
Embrace The Hoodie
Or sweaters, or thermal clothing beneath your clothes. You do not need to be the height of fashion in your own home when no one but your immediate family is alone. Instead wear clothing that can insulate your body heat. Which will also allow you to be more comfortable with that lower thermostat temperature. Which turns into saved energy and saved money. And there are few things more comforting than a full wallet.
We at Garbett Homes want you to be able to enjoy your home even during the winter while sacrificing as little comfort as possible. And while these tips can help you in your current home, our Zero Energy Ready Homes in Murray, Midvale, and West Jordan, can make these tips go even further. If you’re searching for a new home, we humbly invite you to come visit us today.