The winter months of the year are a great time to update and improve the inside of your home. At Alair Homes South Vancouver, we recommend that homeowners make improvements that will add value to their homes and boost their energy efficiency. These three simple actions will help you to enjoy a more comfortable home, lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.

Change Your Furnace Filter

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends changing your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system’s filter every three months. With each cycle of your furnace or heat pump, some debris is captured by the filter. Over time, the debris builds up and fully covers the filter’s pores. The dirty filter can decrease your heating system’s efficiency by 10 percent or more. Replacing the filter only takes a few minutes and a basic screwdriver.

Schedule Maintenance

Furnaces, heat pumps and other heating equipment need an annual check-up to ensure that they are operating at their peak performance levels. A certified HVAC specialist can check all of the electrical and mechanical components for signs of problems and replace any worn parts. The technician will also clean residue, dirt, dust and other debris from moving parts such as fan blades. Technicians also ensure that the gas combustion is optimized and they check to ensure that the system is operating safely.

Upgrade Appliances

The winter is also a great time to upgrade your home appliances. If your refrigerator, freezer, oven or dishwasher is more than 10 to 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star rated product could reduce the unit’s energy consumption by more than 30 percent. Winter is also a good time to consider investing in a new, energy-efficient furnace or heat pump. Choose a furnace with a high annual fuel utilization efficiency rating, or AFUE rating. Today’s gas powered furnaces offer up to 99 percent AFUE. These furnaces pay for themselves after just a few years of use because of the lower energy bills.

Curb Window Heat Loss

Old, single-pane windows lose a lot of heat. Windows with damaged or missing caulk or weatherstripping also allow cold air to infiltrate into your home. At Alair Homes, we recommend using thermal blinds or curtains. These heavier drapes help to block air exchange. Replacement windows with two or three panes of insulated glass and a low emissivity coating are an excellent investment in your home. Replacing caulking or weatherstripping or using temporary plastic seals on your windows can also help to boost your home’s energy efficiency and your indoor comfort.

Automate Energy Usage

Consider investing in a modern home energy control and command center. These systems include programmable thermostats and zoned climate control systems that allow you to turn down the heat when you are at work or school. These systems are usually Wi-Fi enabled so that you can update the settings from any device with an internet connection. These control systems can also turn off lights that are not in use. A programmable thermostat could help cut your monthly energy bills by up to 5 percent.