Tips to Lower Your Heating Bill this Winter

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Lower Heating Bills

Winter in Central Florida is usually fairly mild, but temperatures can sometimes reach the upper 20’s. And there are plenty of occasions when even Central Floridians need to rely on the “heating” portion of their “heating, ventilation and air conditioning” systems.

Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning, one of Central Florida’s leading HVAC companies, offers the following tips to keep your heating bill from breaking the bank this winter.

    1. Install a programmable thermostat
      A programmable thermostat can save you up to 15 percent if you program it to turn down 10 degrees during the time you’re sleeping or not at home. When you are home, consider wearing a sweater instead of turning up the heat. Each degree you lower your thermostat setting, within the 60-70 degree zone, will save you about 2 percent on your yearly energy bill.
    2. Eliminate heat leaks
      Closing drafts in your home is an easy DIY project. You’ll need insulating foam sealant and weatherizing silicone caulk – both are readily available at home improvement stores. Now you’re ready to go on the hunt for heat leaks. Common heat leaking culprits include:

      • Exterior door thresholds – If you can see daylight under your door, then you’ve probably found a heat leak. In fact, up to 12 percent of heat loss in the home happens around doors and windows. If the weather stripping around the door looks worn, replace it.
      • Window frames – Check for old or cracked caulk and replace it.
      • Attic doors – Because heat rises, a drafty attic door or access hatch can suck up the warmth in your house and leave you with a higher electric bill.
      • Electrical outlets – On a cold day, do any outlets feel cold or even give off a faint draft? If so, you can remove the outlet cover and use caulking to fill gaps around the outside of the box.
      • Plumbing entrances – Any place where pipes enter and leave the home should be sealed with foam or caulk.
      • Chimney – Have the damper in your chimney checked to be sure that it fits snugly in order to prevent heat leaks.

      Note: if you don’t have the ability to “do it yourself,” please contact Scott’s Air and one of our skilled technicians will come out and eliminate the heating leaks.

 

  1. Decrease ventilator fan use
    Built-in fans in kitchens and bathrooms provide important air circulation to remove fumes from cooking and excess humidity from showering. During the winter, however, these fans can become heat thieves. Ventilator fans can quickly remove warm indoor air if left running. Teach everyone living your house to use these fans only as needed.
  2. Increase the humidity
    We feel colder in dry air and adding some moisture will allow your indoor air to retain the heat longer. By increasing your home’s humidity to a comfortable level, you can make 68F feel as comfortable as 75F. Easy ways to increase humidity include adding houseplants, using indoor drying racks for laundry, and leaving water-filled dishes in unobtrusive spots around the house. The target zone is 30-50 percent humidity.
  3. Improve the energy efficiency of your windows
    In addition to replacing old caulk as mentioned above, also consider these cold weather window tips:

    • Install tight-fitting, insulating window shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
    • Close your curtains and shades at night to protect against cold drafts; open them during the day to let in warming sunlight. Install exterior or interior storm windows, which can reduce heat loss through the windows by approximately 10%-20%, depending on the type of window already installed in the home.
    • Repair and weatherize your current storm windows, if necessary.
  
 

Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

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Scott’s AC is the best in the business. Their technical aptitude is exceptional and the professionalism is over the top. Don’t look any further, Scott’s AC is your solution.
Rick Brisson
Rick Brisson
1701222089
pricing was reasonable and super timely responses
Monique r
Monique r
1700505330
I have always used Scott's because they are the best! This service was for an installation of a new unit. Craig, Dominic, Jessica, Desmond and Sybil were all great! There was a young man who came out to help with the thermostat setup, he was great too. Very nice experience
Wonderful team of professionals. Everything was first rate, the installers were excellent .
Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning is one of the very best companies that I have ever dealt with. Each and every employee is very knowledgeable, polite, effecient, and responds quickly to each task. The products and prices are reasonable, and quality is excellent. I highly recommend Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning!
Caca B
Caca B
1694554459
Great crew; on time, knowledgeable and professional. Excellent installation of new system.
Linda Baker
Linda Baker
1694146382
Very happy with their work
Eric Garms
Eric Garms
1693329572
Oh my god what an amazing company! I literally called one hour ago and said that my thermostat wasn’t working and there was a knock on my door within the hour! They told us what to do to fix it therefore saving us a $600 bill. They came right away, none of that we can see you in 48 hour junk. Amazing.
V Js
V Js
1693328507
They were able to provide me with same day service, friendly and very responsive. Also, I got 2 other quotes and the pricing was the most competitive.
So thankful and impressed! My dad returned home after having open heart surgery to a completely dead HVAC system in the middle of summer. Definitely not ideal. The repair was going to be pricey so he opted for a new unit. A crew came out on a Saturday and did a very clean and efficient install. Highly recommend this company!!!
Brooke Riley
Brooke Riley
1692362381
Very professional, work very neat and cleaned up and removed stuff. Very impressed with all of the staff and the company.
Our AC decided to quit during one of the hottest heatwaves in years. We called Scott's and someone was at the house to give us a quote in 30 min. From the moment they answered our first phone call through the install everyone was amazing, professional and provided a quality product and excellent service. Craig, Jose, Dexter were awesome! One of the new guys brought us a portable unit at 9:30 PM on a Friday so we could sleep. We missed his name, but shout out to him as well (he likes to give high fives). Thanks Scott and team for everything. We highly recommend!!!
K Harper
K Harper
1692132893
For the past week I've worked with Craig on getting estimates for a new A/C unit, and he has been great at answering my questions and addressing any concerns. Very responsive and knowledgeable, straight shooter and direct! I didn't have to deal with any up-selling like working with a used car salesman (I experienced that with other bigger local A/C companies providing quotes). For these qualities alone I would recommend Scott's A/C, even though I will disclose that we ultimately went with another quote from a family referral of an A/C company. Had that family referral not been apart of our consideration, we would definitely choose and recommend Scott's for new A/C installs and service!
rwoodunder
rwoodunder
1691677447
Dan in sales, outstanding jobgoing over equipment and helping us make what was the best decisions for us on purchasing new a/cinstall, plus scheduling the next day!Boris and Justin were excellent with communications while install and after! very clean, professional taking old out and installing new!ty
T F
T F
1690829348
We can't thank Scott's enough. We came home to a air conditioner barely limping along. I called Scott's first thing in the morning and they had a technician out that day. Unfortunately our system could not be saved. The salesman Craig came out that day as well and quoted a new system. Since it was a Friday we could not get the system installed until Tuesday. Scott's provided us with a portable system which definitely helped during the grueling heat wave in Central Florida. Tuesday came, the installers showed up on time and did an awesome installation job. Cleaned everything up and went on their way. Everyone was pleasant, professional and great to work with! Thank You Scott's Heating & Cooling!
Rodger Marty
Rodger Marty
1689943584
Always happy with their response time. Issue started last night causing our A/C unit to shut down. Made a call to Scott's Heating and Air in the morning and a tech was here by 10:45am. Tyrie, the tech, is awesome. He quickly took care of the problem and had us up and running in no time at all. He is knowledgeable and professional and did a great job.
Perfect company to do business with. Professional and courteous in all phases of project.
Ron Brenton
Ron Brenton
1689684296
Excellent response and service. After 25 years of being serviced by a competitor I decided to change companies. AC was out and in need of replacement. Within 24 hours we had the sales rep here and new unit going in for a reasonable expense. No upselling, phony money savings, or timeshare presentations- just a new system without being targeted and pressured into pricey newer technology that will also become obsolete and non reparable every system cycle. I’m recommending to everyone looking for a new provider
Bill Sumner
Bill Sumner
1688123609
Excellent job getting my new system installed. Friendly and professional staff. Would recommend this company to anyone who needs ac work done.
Michael Imlay
Michael Imlay
1686157131
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