Baby, It's Cold Outside... But It's Warm in Here

Well, it’s truly the dead of winter for us in the DC, Maryland and Virginia triangle.  These are the days where just dragging yourself out of bed each morning in the dark feels like an accomplishment, let alone getting bundled up to go scrape off your car and make your way to the office. 
 
We can commiserate on that for a few hours or we can chat about ways to save money and not make your HVAC system work constantly just to keep your home at a livable temperature.
 
Speaking of, what is a livable temperature?  According to the Department of Energy, it’s advisable to set your thermostat at 68 degrees when you are home and 55 degrees when you are gone for the day.  In our humble opinion, that’s insane.  There was a time in my life where I was pretty broke living with three roommates and to save money we kept the house at 65 degrees.  We literally wore hats and gloves while ‘relaxing’ in front of the TV at night (and you know there is nothing relaxing when your teeth are chattering and your body is shivering).
 
More realistic is probably 69-70 degrees while you’re home and maybe 64-66 degrees while you are out for the day.  The take away message here is:  Get a programmable thermostat so your system isn’t trying to maintain the same temperature all day.  That’s just wasteful.  According to the Washington Post, many of us don’t even have a programmable thermostat and those of us who do aren’t using them correctly. 
 
Other than using your system settings more efficiently, Dapper Ducts would recommend a couple other options for reducing your energy costs and helping your HVAC system work less.

1. If your house is multiple levels, close off most of the vents in the top level.  Warm air rises and cool air sinks so you want to force most of the warm air to the main level of your home and it will rise.
2. Get a programmable thermostat.  See above.  We’re not going to lecture you on this again.
3. Get your air ducts cleaned by Dapper Ducts.  And when we’re there, Yani will happily show you how to program your thermostat if you need help :)

 
Feel free to call us anytime with your heating, cooling or indoor air quality questions.  Our goal is education, not just booking the job.  We want you to breather easier.