Nicholson Offers Energy Savings Advice to Help Homeowners Survive Winter

"A long winter in New England can be cold and sometimes tough on your energy bills," said Mike Nicholson, owner of Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. "Winter can also be tough on heating systems. There are many things homeowners can do to keep winter cold out and warm air in, and many of these tips will help the family budget."

Nicholson offers the following advice for saving energy and money during winter:

• Check windows and doors for air leaks. Warm air can escape through cracks in window sills, door frames and thresholds, and garage doors. As it ages, weathering stripping can be more susceptible to cracking and may become brittle during prolonged cold temperatures. It is important to check all stripping to make sure it is still securely in place and does not allow light or air to pass through any gaps. Also, make sure the door lines up correctly with the threshold. A door's threshold can be adjusted by using the screws on the top plate. The door should rest over the top plate, not allowing light to pass through, but it should not drag roughly over the plate. All of the caulking around window sills should be checked for gaps as well, and garage doors may need to be adjusted or realigned to prevent air leaks at the bottom.
• Slightly lower the water heater temperature. A home's water heater is one of the most energy consuming appliances, and most are set at the manufacturer's default setting of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering the setting on the unit to run at about 130 degrees can result in some savings throughout the winter, and your home will still enjoy hot water.
• Use the benefits of winter sunlight. Even during the depths of winter, the sun is a powerful, free source of energy that virtually every homeowner can use to their advantage. During daylight hours, make a habit of leaving the blinds open allowing natural light to enter the home and provide some warmth. Opening the blinds and interior window treatments on the south-facing side of the home will allow the most sunlight and warmth to enter.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when at home. Reducing the thermostat setting by just a few degrees lower when sleeping or out of the house will also help save money on the monthly energy bill.
• Check air filters. As air filters remove dust and other particles from the air flow inside the home, they become progressively dirty, blocking air flow through the air filter and forcing the heating unit to work harder to circulate air. Replacing filters on a regular basis will keep the air flow unrestricted, resulting in better efficiency and more savings.
• Schedule a furnace tune-up. A furnace tune-up is a comprehensive way to ensure your unit is running at maximum efficiency, and it involves making sure the unit is cleaned, mechanical parts are lubricated and filters are freshly changed. An efficiently operating unit doesn't need to run as frequently and uses less energy as a result. Scheduling a tune-up will help spot any repairs that may be needed as a result of issues going unnoticed.

For more tips on saving energy during winter, contact Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning at (508) 881-1500 or visit www.nicholson-hvac.com/. 

About Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning 
Based in Holliston, Massachusetts, Nicholson is a family-owned, full-service residential plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company proudly serving all of the MetroWest area and beyond. Nicholson takes an all-encompassing approach to ensure clients reach the highest possible level of comfort, while staying within their budget. The company offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and Solid Warranty. Winner of the 2018 Best of Houzz Award for Customer Service, Nicholson has also been honored with the Angie's List Super Service Award award for eight years in a row, the Carrier 2018 Presidents Award, as well as the 2016 Carrier DCNE Outstanding Performance Award. For more information, visit Nicholson at http://www.nicholson-hvac.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
[email protected] 

SOURCE Nicholson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

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