Do these 3 things to improve your NC home’s HVAC this winter, HGTV stars recommend
With a winter storm on the horizon, many parts of North Carolina are bracing for a weekend of snow and sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain.
Ahead of a drop in temperatures that will have many turning up the heat, HGTV’s Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt — the “100 Day Dream Home” duo who will be at the Downtown Raleigh Home Show Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11 — spoke with The News & Observer about ways to prepare and protect your homes.
1. Ensure your thermostat is working properly
“Test your thermostat. A lot of people have faulty thermostats and they wind up wasting a lot of money when they start turning the heater on,” Brian Kleinschmidt told The N&O.
2. Change your filters
“A lot of people don’t use their heaters a lot, so we always recommend to change the filters,” Brian Kleinschmidt said.
Home Depot recommends changing your filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type you have.
Be sure also to check your carbon monoxide detectors — “That’s 20 bucks that could save your life, especially if you have a gas furnace,” he said.
3. Reverse the direction of your fan
The Kleinschmidts suggest even reversing the directions on your fan.
“They’re made to push the air down in the summertime but when you turn the direction, it actually helps circulate the heat better in your house to make it more effective,” Brian Kleinschmidt said.
DIY energy assessment tips
According to the Department of Energy, “heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system.” You can save up to 30% on an energy bill with maintenance and upgrades, along with the right insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings.
The department recommends doing a home energy assessment before making energy-saving home improvements. A professional audit would provide a more thorough analysis of your energy use room-to-room, but there are some things you can do on your own to check for specific issues. For a “do-it-yourself” walk-through, here’s what the Department of Energy recommends you can do if you as a self-assessment before calling in a professional:
- Locate and seal air leaks
- Consider ventilation
- Check insulation levels
- Inspect heating and cooling equipment
- Examine light bulbs, electronics and appliances
How to save energy during NC winters
In addition to monitoring and maintaining your home heating systems, here are some other energy saving tips you can utilize to cut costs this winter according to Duke Energy:
Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.
Leave drapes or blinds open during the day for warmth from the sun and close them at night to help insulate your home.
Seal cracks in windows, doors and vents.
Replace standard bulbs with LED bulbs.
Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Do these 3 things to improve your NC home’s HVAC this winter, HGTV stars recommend."
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