Indianapolis has faced one of the harshest winters this year. We have encountered negative temperatures and more than enough snow and ice. So how has this affected your energy bill? Was your bill through the roof? You're not alone. There are many causes for high energy bills, and here are some reasons yours might be more than you expected.
Common Causes
- Broken or unused appliances , A leaky water heater or faulty thermostat can lead to a shockingly high energy bill. Don't leave damaged appliances unattended. Many electronic devices will continue to use power even when they are not in use. Is your laptop or tablet turned off, but still connected to the charger that's plugged into the wall? Is your guest bedroom TV plugged but no one is using it? Simply unplug the appliances that are not in use or don't need to be charged to cut down your energy bill.
- Increase in occupants , Did you have a lot of guests stay in your home? Did some of your kids come home from college? This can cause a spike in your energy bill. More people in the home means more showers, laundry and dish washing. All of these activities can impact your energy bill.
- Leaving the lights on , This seems like a no brainer, but how often have you left the lights in the kitchen on even though you're not in the room? It's more common than you think. Do you really need to keep that hallway light on upstairs when the whole family is downstairs? No. Turning off lights in areas of the home you're not occupying with help you save more money and become more energy efficient.
- Change in seasons , This might also seem like common sense, but the more you crank the heat on the thermostat, the higher your energy bill is going to be. There are plenty of ways to cut down your use of heat in the winter, you just have to be conscious of the temperature you're leaving your thermostat on when you're not at home. Turning the temperature down before you leave for work is a great way to lower your energy bill.
There are plenty of ways to save money and keep your energy bill down during the winter months. Make sure you are being conscious of any broken or unused appliances, turning your lights off when you leave the room and keeping the thermostat at a steady temperature. For more information about how to cut down on energy costs, visit our website today.
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, your source for qualified hvac repair and installation
Cold temperatures lead to a decrease in the amount of moisture in the air. The lack of moisture not only causes itchy, dry skin, but it also takes a toll on the inside of your home. Have you noticed the paint on your walls start to chip, is your wallpaper peeling or are your hardwood floors starting to crack? Is your furniture looking a little worse for wear? These are all side effects of dry winter air combined with blasting the heat inside your home. A whole home humidifier is a simple solution.
Signs of Damage
- Cracks or splits in hardwood flooring or walls
- Wood flooring or doors show gaps
- Joints on cabinet doors or wood paneling have widened
- Loose chair legs and arms
Why a Whole Home Humidifier?
A whole home humidifier is a better solution to your problems than portable humidifiers because portable humidifiers can only humidify one or two rooms. You most likely have wood furniture in more than one room of your home so you'll need optimum protection and a whole home humidifier gives you that. If you invested a reasonable amount of money in your wooden tables, chairs, bed frames and dressers you want those pieces of furniture to last a long time.
A whole home humidifier is less noisy and requires a lot less supervision than portable humidifiers. Portable humidifiers also need to be filled multiple times a day and cleaned every few hours. No one has time for that. A whole home humidifier reaches every room in your house with equal, even comfort. That means all of your furniture in every room in your home will be protected from the dry, winter air. It draws water from your pipes so there is need to refill or clean it. A whole home humidifier saves you time, money and extends the life of your furniture.
Extra Tips
Besides installing a whole home humidifier you can also use some of the following tips to save your furniture and keep your home looking great all winter long.
- Use high quality furniture oil. Always put the oil on the rag and not directly on the wood and rub the piece thoroughly. Do this once every six months to keep your wood furniture in tip-top condition.
- Move your furniture out of direct sunlight.
- Move your furniture away from heating vents. It's best to keep your furniture 3-5 inches away from the wall. This allows the heat to circulate without directly blowing on your furniture which will cause it to dry out and crack.
The winter weather has done enough damage to roads and vehicles, so don't let it ruin your home decor and furnishings. A whole home humidifier can help extend the life of your furniture and keep your home looking brand new all winter long. Call Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment today!
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, carries a full line of high efficiency furnaces. Contact us to recommend the best services to your home
