At Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Northwest Michigan, we’re looking forward to the holiday season, the changes in the weather, and the prospect of what will happen in the New Year. In order to help you enjoy the coming weeks comfortably (and with an eye to energy efficiency), we’ve organized some ideas that Traverse City homeowners can implement right now:
- Check your furnace filters and clean or replace them as needed. High-quality pleated paper filters do an excellent job filtering small particulates and allergens. With a clean filter, your furnace won’t have to work as hard.
- Doors and windows can leak a lot of heat if they’re not sealed properly. Keep cold air and moisture out by caulking around the exterior. Use a waterproof, flexible, and paintable caulk. You may also want to try weather stripping around your doors.
- If you have a fireplace with an open firebox, consider adding glass fireplace doors to prevent heat from escaping. Special fireplace blankets are available that cover opening when the fireplace is not in use.
- Do you have high ceilings? Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer – use a ceiling fan on the reverse “winter” setting to distribute heat around the room, saving energy and making the space more comfortable.
- A programmable thermostat or one of the new “smart” thermostats will help you regulate the temperature, turning up the heat when you’re about to come home and turning it down overnight.
We hope you’ll incorporate some of these tips this winter.The result will be lower energy bills and a more comfortable Traverse City home. From all of us at Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Northwest Michigan, enjoy!