Home heating expert Ellis Guiles
/ Photo: Craig McDowell
SYRACUSE -- Winter is quickly approaching in Central New York and there are a few ways you can prepare your home for the winter and save money on heating.
CNY Central’s Brandon Roth spoke with heating expert Ellis Guiles from TAG Home Performance.
"First thing you really should check now that we've been through the summer and you haven't operated your heating system is to get that heating system inspected. You want to make sure your filters are clean," he says.
Guiles says that insulating the hot water piping that comes off of the hot water heater in your home will save you a few dollars on hot water over the course of the winter.
Guiles suggests using weather stripping windows and doors to keep the cold air out and the heat in. This will save you money on your heating utilities. He says that visible spider webs by a window are an indication of heat loss.
"When we weather strip our doors and our windows, at least as a starting point, that helps knock all that cold air and keeps it outdoors. We don't want cold air inside," says Guiles.
Guiles also suggests cleaning out your furnace filters to increase airflow.
Finally, Guiles recommends having a certified professional conduct an energy audit of your home. An audit helps save you money on your heating bills and all its free since contractors are paid by the state through the Green Jobs- Green New York Program.
"It's no cost. I tell people we get paid by the state to come in and do an analysis of your home and tell you what you can do to make it better," Guiles says.
For more information on how you can get a free energy audit for your home, visit: www.nyserda.ny.gov.
