5 Winter Energy-Saving Tips for Your Orlando Home

With colder weather moving in, your utility bills will often rise over the course of a typical winter. However, by using a few of the following winter energy-saving tips, you can reduce your bills without sacrificing any home comfort:

Have your heating system inspected: Routine maintenance can keep your heating system running efficiently, so that no major system problems occur. Have your HVAC contractor inspect and service your system at the beginning of the heating season. You can keep your heating system running smoothly by checking the air filter every month.

Perform an energy assessment: Many homes have hidden problems like air leaks or inadequate insulation. An energy assessment featuring a blower door test or an infrared camera inspection can determine where these problem areas are. Have a reputable contractor evaluate your home and use the results to add insulation and seal air leaks where necessary.

Insulate your windows: You can add plastic film to block drafts from your windows, or use heavy curtains or drapes at night to prevent heat from escaping. Just open them during the day to let the sun warm your home. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient insulated windows, especially if you have older single-pane windows.

Reduce electricity usage: You can replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LEDs to save up to 80 percent on lighting costs. When necessary, replace old appliances and electronics with Energy Star-rated models. Another grea tip is to use outlet strips to shut off electronics that constantly draw power.

Reduce hot water costs: Turning your water heater down to 120 degrees can help you avoid scalding problems. You can practice washing as many clothes as possible on the “cold” setting, and only running your dishwasher when it’s full. Make sure to drain the sediment out of your water heater annually for better efficiency.

For more winter energy-saving tips, talk to our team at Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning Service. We’ve been serving Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy-saving tips and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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