When it comes to enjoying winter, being comfortable and staying warm while conserving energy and saving money doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, we’ve come up with five easy and affordable winter house-warming tips to help you do just that. With no further ado, here they are!
Tip #1
If you haven’t done so already, call TVA and schedule an in-home EnergyRight™ audit. Then complete the recommendations with a qualified contractor. You’ll instantly have a warmer, less costly, more energy efficient home! Just call 1-866-441-1430 to get started and tell them Trace sent you.
Tip #2
Get a programmable thermostat. Just customize the settings to your use patterns and – presto! – the gizmo will automatically adjust heat levels for optimum, energy-saving comfort. We like Honeywell. Just put one in at the office.
Tip #3
Assuming you’ve already had your furnace tuned-up (yes?), now just check the filters monthly and change them when dirty. At Trace, we use medium-priced filters. They don’t restrict airflow as much as the expensive ones.
Tip #4
Nothing like a crackling fire in the fireplace to make your home feel toasty. Hire a certified chimney sweep to make sure everything is clean and in good working order. This will prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide build-up. Visit Chimney Safety Institute of America at www.csia.org to find a certified sweep.
Tip #5
Buy a good supply of firewood off Craig’s List or along Harding Rd/Highway 100. No more Harris-Teeter runs for a dab of the expensive stuff. Green wood won’t burn, so make sure it’s seasoned. Enjoy!
