A typical forecast in North Carolina can range anywhere from a high of 70 to 40, or lows from 60 to 20. You never know what you may find when you walk out the door! It may even change by the hour. One day you may need your furnace running, the next your AC cranked up to try and find a comfortable balance. GSM Services has some recommendations for the optimal solution to this inconsistent weather.

• Turn down the thermostat: An efficient temperature recommended by the Department of Energy is about 68°F. Most people do not need the temperature to be any higher than this. Setting the thermostat as high as it can go is never recommended. This will not warm up the home any quicker, and will only put more wear and tear on your heater
• Seal air leaks at the exterior of the home: Holes in exterior walls can be found anywhere pipes and cables enter your home. If there are gaps around water pipes, drain pipes, gas lines, and electrical cables, seal them with expanding foam.
• Check doorways: If you can see light through the door ways, you are losing heat. Replace worn weather stripping around doors and add weather stripping as needed.
• Change filters: Monthly air filter changes keep airflow moving properly throughout the home and keeps your heating system from becoming overworked. This is a task you should never skip, even if it seems minor to you!
• Make sure your home has enough insulation: Consider an energy audit to find out where there may be inadequate insulation in the attic, in crawlspaces, or around ducts. Insulation slows the transfer of heat, which means it can help you year-round, keeping heat in the home in the winter and preventing heat from moving indoors in the summer.
• Let the sunshine in: Open curtains and blinds in south-facing windows during the daytime only. Close them at night to prevent drafts.
• Don’t lose energy through the fireplace: Make sure the damper in the fireplace is properly closed when you are not using it. This is a common area for heat to move right back out of the house as you use the furnace.
• Schedule a maintenance appointment: Regular maintenance appointments for your heater keep it running efficiently—and safely. You can keep your energy costs lower by keeping up on this valuable service.

Completing these steps will help your home comfort to remain consistent when the weather decides to be inconsistent. Give us a call or send us a text for a FREE Whole Home Energy Evaluation or to schedule a tune up for your system!