As the temperatures begin to drop this season you are beginning to find ways to keep your home warm and comfortable. Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature this winter does not have to come with the cost of high energy bills. With some planning, you can reduce the cost of heating your home while also keeping it warm and comfortable. Furthermore, you want to ensure you have a properly working and efficient heater to minimize your risk of having issues this winter. The following are tips to make the most of your heating system this winter.
Schedule Furnace Maintenance
As soon as the cold season begins you should set an appointment for a professional to come out and perform routine maintenance of your furnace. To keep your furnace running at its best and most efficient it is important to have it serviced. Routine maintenance allows you to fix any minor issues before they become into a major problem. You do not want to be left without a heater when you need it the most. It is important to take care of the little issues that come up to reduce strain on the system and therefore lowering the amount of energy your system uses to warm the home.
Change The Filters
Change your filters at least once every three months to improve the efficiency and reduce strain of your furnace and your HVAC system. A clean filter also has the added benefit of improving your home’s indoor air quality as well. It is a good idea to write the date you change it on the filter itself, so you can quickly see when it needs to be changed.
Seal Air Leaks In Your Home
Properly sealing and insulating your home is one of the easiest ways to make your heating system more energy efficient. Some of the most common places in your home where a leak may occur are wall or window ac units, dampers by the fireplace, gaps in doorways or windows. It is important to seal these leaks to prevent your heater from working harder than it has to. The more sealed your home is, the more warm air your home will retain.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
You can also save money by installing a programmable or smart thermostat in your home. Both will allow you to set a program for your home to turn the heater on when you actually need it. Smart thermostats have the added benefit of allowing you to also control it via a smart phone app. One of the smart thermostats out on the market is a Nest thermostat which can also learn your daily habits and program itself. Another option that may be suitable for your home is to install a zoned control system. This type of system will allow you to control how you cool or heat different parts of your home individually. One last thing to remember is that turning the temperature all the way up will not the house any faster. A thermostat only turns the heater on or off, typically an HVAC system can only raise your home’s temperature about 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.
Above All, Stay Safe
Make sure to keep the area around the furnace clear of any obstructions to keep the air flowing freely. Also check to that there aren’t any flammable items near the furnace flue pipe. It is also a good idea to invest in carbon monoxide detectors and install them near the heater and ideally on every floor.
Call us today at (818) 341-3406 or contact us online to see how we can assist you this winter season. Sign up for an HVAC maintenance plan so you never forget about scheduling routine maintenance for your system. To learn more about services we offer, please visit our homepage.
