Comstock Propane Inc.36 Miles Rd, Carson City, Nevada, United States

Locally owned Family Business 35 + Years Experience in the Propane IndustryServing Northern Nevada

Heating Your Home Efficiently

Regardless of what the weather brings this winter, heating your home efficiently is probably something on your mind. Keeping your home a comfortable temperature when the weather turns bad doesnt have to be a financial drain. Here are some places to start:

Stopping Air Leaks 

The first step to making your home more heat efficient is to identify air leaks. Common air leak sources such as recessed lights, attic entrances, door frames, window frames, ducts (which well cover next) and electrical outlets can be a big drain of heat and money. You can check for air leaks yourself by walking through your home with a lit incense stick (horizontal smoke indicates a leak), or you can hire a technician for a more thorough inspection. Simple fixes like sealing around outlets and switches, caulking gaps in the framing, and plugging gaps surrounding pipes will typically result in noticeable savings.

Keep Your Home Insulated

  Properly insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut down on your energy loss. Improving the insulation in your home can cut your heating and cooling costs by as much as 30%, and will create a more uniform, comfortable temperature in your home. Better insulation will also help decrease outdoor noise. Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if they meet recommended standards for your area. Insulation is measured in R-values: the higher the R-value, the less transfer of heat through the material. Typically the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve your homes insulation is to add insulation to your attic.

Thermostat Solutions 

That little box on the wall can be a tool for big energy savings. You can save up to 3 percent for every one degree that you lower the temperature in your home over a 24-hour period in winter. You can also save up to 10% annually in your heating and cooling bills by adjusting your thermostat down 10% to 15% for an 8-hour period each day. Turning the heat down while you sleep or while youre away at work is a simple and logical energy efficiency solution. If the prospect of waking up to a chilly house doesnt excite you, buy a programmable thermostat. They are inexpensive and adjust the temperature in your home based on the schedules you determine.