Now that winter has arrived in North Texas, you can expect higher utility bills to be right on its heels. Preventing unnecessary heat loss can help keep those bills under control while you stay warm and comfortable. Here are just a few suggestions that can help you achieve it.

• Air seal your home’s exterior. Holes in your siding and foundation, gaps around vents, pipes and other outlets, and cracked or missing caulking all add up to heat loss and higher energy bills. Perform a thorough check and fix any areas of concern, and you’ll enjoy a more comfortable home and lower heating bills.
• Give your roof a checkup. When you replace broken or damaged tiles and shingles, you’re keeping your attic free from leaks. This helps prevent energy waste and keeps your heating costs down.
• Seal up gaps in your door and window joints. The seal on the joints of windows and doors can loosen due to normal wear and tear. Test for air leaks using a burning stick of incense or a smoke pencil, and seal up any gaps that you find.
• Replace the HVAC system’s air filter regularly. Once a month is a good rule of thumb to maintain your heating system’s efficiency and help keep your energy consumption and utility bills in check.
• Keep your floor vents dust-free. These are prime spots for dust and debris to settle, and giving them a good cleaning will help you make the most of the warm air your heating system produces.
• Improve your water heating efficiency. Cover your storage tank with an insulated jacket and lower the temperature on the thermostat by 10 degrees, and you could see combined savings of up to 15 percent.
• Insulate your hot water piping. Foam pipe insulation is easy to install, and it can help reduce the heat loss that occurs as hot water makes its way to your taps, especially if it travels through unheated or uninsulated areas.

For more tips on preventing heat loss in your McKinney area home, please contact us at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating.