Nicholson Offers Energy Savings Advice to Help Homeowners Survive Winter

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Feb. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, a family-owned home service company and recent recipient of the Angie's List Super Service Award for the eighth year in a row, are offering advice to help MetroWest residents save energy dollars for the rest of the winter season.

"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
hripley@ripleypr.com

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