Winters in Maryland can be downright frigid, with temperatures at night dipping into the single digits. And colder temperatures lead to higher heating bills. Fortunately, there are some simple winter energy saving steps you can take to lower your energy usage.
Check out these helpful energy-saving tips designed to keep your family warm and toasty through the frosty Maryland winter while maintaining an energy-efficient home.
- Turn your furnace on for a few minutes before winter. That way, if there’s a problem, you’ll have plenty of time to have a Constellation Home technician come out and fix it.
- Be sure the thermostat is set in the heating mode. Setting the dial above the current room temperature won’t activate your furnace if it is set in the “off” or “cool” mode.
- Be sure your vents are not blocked or obstructed. Your furnace needs to draw air into the system. Any obstructions could decrease the efficiency of the unit and result in higher heating costs.
- Be sure to change the HVAC filters regularly. A dirty filter can restrict air flow, reduce efficiency and cause the unit to work harder. Check manufacturer specifications and replace disposable fiberglass filters and clean electrostatic or electronic filters accordingly.
- Schedule a heating system tune-up with Constellation Home. Make sure your heating system is ready for winter with our comprehensive 21-point heating system efficiency tune-up.
Keeping your costs down during the cold winter months can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to keep your bill low:
- Lower your heat at night or when you’re away. Don’t pay to heat your home if you’re not there! When you’re gone from home or sleeping, try turning your thermostat down 10°-15°.
- Cover and seal drafty openings in your house. When heat leaks outside through drafty windows, doors and fireplaces, your heating bill rises. Installing energy-efficient windows and sealing your fireplace could help you save.
- Use our Constellation Home Energy Calculator. Our free tool can help you see how much you can save on your energy bill.
Frozen Pipe Maintenance
Frozen pipes are a common and potentially damaging problem during extreme cold months. Here are a few ways to know if your pipes are frozen:
- No water comes out of the faucet. If you turn on a faucet and if no water or only a slight trickle comes out, the water pipe leading to the faucet may be frozen.
- You have frost on the pipe. For visible pipes, such as those under sinks, you may see an accumulation of frost. This can be a sign that the pipe is frozen before you turn on the faucet.
What should you do if you have a frozen pipe?
If you think you have frozen pipes, follow these steps to avoid flooding until a professional plumber arrives.
- Turn off the water to your home immediately to avoid a burst pipe and flooding.
- Exterior hose bibs that are frozen can cause flooding if the hose bib water line is turned on and there’s a buildup of ice in the line. Turn the water line to the hose bib off and keep the hose bib open until the frozen water melts out of the line.
- If you have signs of frozen pipes at your home, you may need a Constellation Home certified plumber. Contact our Customer Care Center at 1-888-243-4663.
Be sure to schedule routine maintenance for your heating system with Constellation Home.