Winter Heating Tips for Bend Homes

Why take steps to lower heating costs in our moderate Northwest Oregon winters?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heating accounts for 29 percent of utility bills, a significant portion of your home’s energy costs.

If you want to save money, lower your carbon footprint, and remain comfortable this winter, the best heating solutions in Bend take a whole-house approach to upgrades and improvements.

The DOE says an energy-efficient furnace alone will not reduce your Bend, energy bills as much as a combination of upgrades, maintenance, and recommended thermostat settings. It encourages a whole-house approach to heating and saving up to 30 percent on energy bills.

While daytime temperatures in the Bend area typically remain in the 40° to 50° Fahrenheit range, the overnight lows occasionally plunge below freezing. What can you do to improve heating comfort and energy efficiency?

Home Heating in Greater Bend

At Pyramid Heating and Cooling, we understand the common heating issues Pacific Northwest homeowners face every winter. We compiled tips in this blog to help you curb energy use and make your heating system more efficient. Some solutions are easy to accomplish without help, and others require the expertise of an HVAC pro.

Contact Pyramid Heating & Cooling for assistance with your gas furnace, heat pump, or ductless mini split this winter. We proudly offer Carrier and Mitsubishi products, and our qualified technicians service all HVAC makes and models.

In the meantime, take steps to stay cozy in your Bend, home this winter.

DIY Winter Heating Tips

• Windows: To retain heat, use thermal curtains or drapes on your windows. Close them at night and open them during the day to let sunlight in and heat your home. Try a window insulation kit to seal drafty, older windows. Kits typically include tape and plastic sheeting. The plastic adheres to the window frame, shrinks, and becomes taut after you apply heat.

• Floors: Sink your toes into thick rugs placed under your feet. They help insulate your floors and reduce heat loss.

• Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans are not just for hot weather. You can use them year-round to help distribute air. Reverse the fan’s direction, making it revolve clockwise, to push warm air from the ceiling to warm your living area.

• Air Filters: Inspect your HVAC air filter for dirt every month and replace dirty filters. Clogged filters reduce airflow, which causes your heating system to work harder and use more energy. Read your HVAC system instruction booklet to learn how often you should change filters and what type and size filter you should install.

• Airflow: Keep interior doors open to aid air circulation.

• Fireplace: If you plan to use your fireplace this winter, maintain it. Optimize it by adding tempered glass doors and a blower that will push heated air into the room. Consider outfitting the back wall of the firebox with a fireback, a decorative metal shield that protects the wall from intense heat while reflecting warmth into the room.

• Ductwork: Look for holes or cracks in your air ducts. Use mastic sealant or mastic tape to patch gaps and cracks. Avoid using duct tape because it can weaken and fall off. If you do not feel comfortable sealing air ducts, let our Pyramid Heating & Cooling experts tackle the job for you. We will have the damage repaired in no time!

• Temperature: The DOE says you can save up to 10 percent annually on heating and cooling costs by turning the thermostat back 7° to 10° Fahrenheit from your desired temperature setting for eight hours daily. You will not lose comfort if you dial the thermostat back before you leave your home for several hours or when you go to bed.

• Outdoor Unit: Clear debris and foliage around your heat pump to maintain airflow.

• Weatherize: Seal gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping and caulk. Place draft stoppers indoors at the bottom of exterior doors to keep out the cold air.

DIY home improvement projects are a great way to ensure warmth and comfort this winter, but some tasks need a professional touch.

HVAC Pros Ensure Efficient Heating

• Maintenance: Preventative maintenance is one of the best strategies for optimizing your heating system. Our Pyramid Heating & Cooling experts can prevent breakdowns and improve system efficiency and safety through annual checkups. During a maintenance visit, we thoroughly inspect, clean, and tune up your furnace or heat pump, ensuring it operates at peak efficiency through the winter.

• Service Plan: Join our Pyramid Comfort Club, to receive maintenance reminders, air filter discounts, priority scheduling, discounted diagnostic fees, and an annual HVAC system inspection.

• Thermostat: Dialing a standard manual thermostat back to save on energy consumption can be inconvenient. Why not install a smart thermostat that will adjust thermostat settings for you? It will lower the temperature when you leave your house and increase it just before you return. A smartphone app also allows you to control the thermostat from anywhere. Let our Pyramid Heating & Cooling pros install a smart thermostat in your Bend-area home. Once you try it, you will never use a manual thermostat in your home again.

• Dampness: Winter brings wet weather to the Pacific Northwest, which can result in too much moisture in your home. We can install a whole-home dehumidifier to help reduce moisture in the air and help maintain a healthy humidity level.

• HVAC Upgrade: Replacing an outdated and inefficient heating system with a new, energy-efficient unit saves you money in the long run and improves your comfort. Let our knowledgeable team recommend the best high-efficiency furnace, heat pump, or mini split for your home. Ask us about local rebates and federal tax credits that make upgrading your heating system affordable. We also offer financing options.

Upgrade or Maintain Your HVAC Unit

Our qualified technicians at Pyramid Heating and Cooling can help you keep your Bend, OR, home cozy and efficient this winter. We can boost system efficiency by maintaining your heating system or recommend a high-efficiency replacement to curb energy consumption and costs while improving your comfort. Call us at 541-203-2085 or request service online.