Harvey W. Hottel, Inc.

Since 1945

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Simple Ways to Reduce Your Home Heating Costs

When preparing your Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC home for winter temperatures, don't be left out in the cold — follow these easy tips to cut your heating costs while still staying toasty.

• Check your home for areas where heated air may be leaking out. Investigate doors, windows, fireplaces, and other areas that may feel drafty. When you find a draft or leak, use caulk, weather stripping or door sweeps to keep the warm air inside. Adding exterior storm windows will increase the temperature of the inside window.
• Close heating vents or turn down thermostats in rooms you don't use often. Do you really need to keep your guest room heated when nobody is staying there?
• Consider turning down your home's main source of heat and use space heaters to heat the rooms you spend the most time in.
• Purchase a programmable thermostat to raise temperatures during the day and lower temperatures at night. Setting your thermostat to cooler temperatures while you sleep significantly reduces fuel consumption.
• Make sure your heating equipment is in top operating condition, as dirty filters and malfunctioning units reduce your system's efficiency. Keep up with any necessary repairs.
• Cut back on your shower time to save big on your hot water heating costs.
• Use natural heat and sunlight by opening blinds and curtains when the sun is shining, but then close them when the sun goes down to retain solar heat.
• Avoid constant thermostat adjustments, as turning the thermostat up very high generally does not make your home's temperature rise any quicker.

When preparing your Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, or Maryland home for the winter, consult HVAC expert Harvey W. Hottel for all of your home heating needs. Based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Harvey W. Hottel serves the entire Baltimore, Northern Virginia, and Washington metropolitan area, and is ready to answer your heating questions, repair any malfunctioning equipment, and install high-efficiency heating systems and thermostats to your home. Whether you live in Sterling, Falls Church, Gaithersburg, or Bethesda, there's no reason to shiver over home heating costs this winter; let Harvey W. Hottel show you how to maximize your home's heating capabilities and save money in the process.