Our expenses are going up, which has many of us trying to save money every way we can. This article outlines ways to help winterproof your home to get ready for the cold and hopefully save you money.
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Home Checklist
The cost of heating your home in January is still unknown.
There are things you can do to winterize your home that potentially can decrease the amount of energy you use and help to reduce your costs.
All homes lose heat. It is best to find out where you have leaks by walking around and seeing if you feel any drafty areas.
Most heat is lost from leaky doors and windows. Typically, upgrading windows and doors helps reduce heat loss.
Your furnace has to work harder when there are drafts around your doors.
Improving the insulation in the attic and walls can typically help reduce air leaks in your home.
Edmonton - Home Energy Upgrade Support
Homeowners can explore Edmonton’s Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) for financing eligible energy-efficiency upgrades, repaid through property taxes. Seniors may also qualify for Alberta’s SHARP program for eligible home repairs. Check CEIP locations across Alberta for other participating communities.
Dirty furnace filters often waste money in 2 ways:
We recommend that furnace filters be replaced on a 30-day cycle, especially in the winter. If you have pets or have a large household, you may need to change it more often.
Gentlemen Pro Tip
Set a monthly alarm on your phone to remind yourself to change the furnace filter.
We all have a lot going on… this might help you remember.
Furnace cleaning and servicing should be done yearly and before the first snowfall.
Yearly inspections often identify hidden issues before your furnace is overworked. Components are individually tested to spot issues before they become a major problem.
When the cold temperatures begin, both our team (and our competitors) see a massive increase in emergency repair requests.
Waiting until a deep freeze to service and clean your furnace is like realizing you need winter boots after the first major snowfall, only to find that every store is sold out of your size.
Book soon and have your furnace cleaned and serviced by The Gentlemen Pros’ Edmonton furnace maintenance technicians.
Are you having problems with your furnace blowing cold air, constantly running or other furnace problems and questions?
You are not alone. We are always a phone call away, even in an emergency.
Heating bills are continually going up, and it is becoming more essential to have an energy-efficient furnace. It can potentially save you money on energy costs this winter.
Both the Canadian and provincial governments offer rebates and/or loans to make a new energy-efficient furnace more affordable for seniors and low-income families. It is worth a look to see if you qualify for one of these incentives.
Components on an older furnace often break down at the worst time of the year, when it is at its coldest, and it is working the hardest. Older furnaces also often provide your home with uneven heating.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the Standard efficiency of furnaces was less than 75%. (As furnaces age, they become less efficient.)
Typically, furnaces before the mid 2000s are considered “low efficiency”, less efficient than 75%.
Mid-efficiency furnaces typically operate at 75% to 85% efficiency after installation. Mid-Efficiency furnaces were common in the late 2000s to 2009. (Unfortunately, all furnaces, including mid-efficiency furnaces, lose efficiency over time.)
After 2009, high-efficiency furnaces became more popular.
The standard changed in 2019. The federal Canadian government mandated that gas furnaces manufactured after July 2019 must be ultra-high efficiency to be sold in Canada.
Present-day furnaces have features that commonly detect safety issues such as system overheating, dangerous gas leaks, blocked venting and high carbon monoxide levels.
By upgrading now to a new ultra-high-efficiency furnace, you can potentially save and have the added safety features.
Read more about how furnaces work.
You receive a complimentary one-year “The Gentlemen Pros Promise” membership when you buy a new furnace from us.
The Gentlemen Pros Promise membership gives you preferred service rates on repairs, a lower trip charge, and an annual system inspection.
After a full year of membership, customers receive an inspection of the plumbing in their home and a camera inspection of the sewer line.
Ready to upgrade to an ultra-high-efficiency furnace? Contact The Gentlemen Pros today.
Many home builders over the last 20 years have opted for an electric furnace.
Electric furnaces operate differently, and yes, they still need maintenance.
You can expect differences in an electric furnace versus a gas furnace.
Gas Furnaces vs Electric Furnaces in Alberta
In Edmonton, furnaces run all year; small, unnoticed habits in your home could be driving up your utility bills.
Set a temperature and leave it and forget about it. It can possibly save you money.
Turning down the heat by 2-3°C when you leave the house or go to bed could save you money.
Or do you feel the cold and crank the thermostat up by a few degrees?
When you do, the furnace runs at its maximum power for longer, costing you more money.
It is important to set your thermostat to a set temperature and leave it. The furnace remains working at the same speed, and your furnace works more efficiently.
Consider what the outdoor temperature is and adjust the indoor temperature accordingly.
A smart thermostat may be the answer to saving you money by providing a consistent temperature for both day use and night.
The Gentlemen Pros also install smart thermostats in Edmonton homes; give us a call if you are interested in having one installed.
Having a humidistat can save you money by controlling the moisture levels in your home.
Your thermostat typically can be lowered a few degrees without feeling cold by controlling your humidity levels.
Make sure it’s set at the right humidity level for winter. Proper humidity provides a more comfortable home and typically reduces energy costs.
Cold air holds less moisture. Heat holds on to humidity. So if your humidity levels are at the right level, your home typically feels warmer.
Gentlemen Pro Tip
Please check your humidifier pad. It should be cleaned or replaced once per year.
Wall-mounted humidistats place controls directly on your living space. It generally makes it easier to regulate. (If you don’t have a humidistat, we can install one for you.)
A furnace humidifier needs to be maintained. Because of Edmonton’s hard water, mineral buildup on your furnace humidifier filter (or pad) can block water flow.
The Gentlemen Pros can help you service and inspect your furnace humidifier in Edmonton.
All newer ceiling fans should be switched to winter mode during the winter.
The winter mode setting on your ceiling fan reverses the rotation of the blades to spin clockwise at a low speed.
It pushes the warm air that naturally rises back down to where you can enjoy it.
It can help reduce energy bills by keeping you home warmer using air that your furnace has already heated.
A lot of us have been thinking about getting a smart thermostat. With the cost of energy, it may be the perfect time to buy one.
Smart thermostats help eliminate wasteful heating and cooling.
They allow you to program for different times when your home sits empty or when people are sleeping.
A smart thermostat can typically cut monthly utility bills.
If you are considering a smart thermostat, now may be a perfect time.
Book an appointment today with The Gentlemen Pros to have a smart thermostat installed in your Edmonton home.
TRENDING NEWS
Did you know that your furnace lifespan is normally 15-20 years if maintained regularly? The reason is that after years of running and keeping your family warm, your furnace, in many instances, develops aged and worn-out parts which are often not running at peak efficiency.
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