With the cold weather now upon us, it is, unfortunately, time to turn the heat on. Heating bills can get expensive so make sure that whichever method(s) you use to heat your home is as efficient as possible. No matter if it is a wood-burning stove, fireplace, or furnace, making sure that the heat being produced is actively heating your home and not being wasted. Confirming that the product used is in good working order can all help save you money this winter. Don’t get stuck in the cold this winter!
One of the easiest things you can do to ensure your furnace is as effective as possible is to change the air filter about every 3 months. When you leave a clogged air filter in your furnace, it has to work much harder to get the job done. When you maintain a clean air filter in your furnace, it allows the machine to be much more productive while using less energy. If you are unsure of where to find your air filter, what type to get, or how to change it, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.
Scheduled maintenance for any type of heating or cooling mechanism is very important. If you use a fireplace or wood-burning stove, an annual inspection is of utmost importance prior to using the stove each season. This ensures you can safely use the apparatus and that it will adequately heat your home for you when necessary. The same goes for having a furnace inspected. Having a certified technician look at your furnace at least once a year helps to identify small problems before they become catastrophic. Fixing small problems can usually be handled faster and are typically much less expensive than mending larger issues.
Sealing any leaks in your ductwork or fixing any drafts in your home will help keep the heat inside your home in the area where you need it most. It can be very expensive to have to run your heater all day just to maintain a certain temperature inside your home when most of it is being lost to the outside through drafty windows or badly sealed doors. In addition, leaky ductwork can cause a loss of about 25% of the energy generated by your HVAC system. Call us to take a look at your ductwork to make sure you don’t have any problems that are not easily identified.
There are many more things you can do as a homeowner to ensure your HVAC system or alternative source of heat is running as efficiently as possible, but these three things are a great place to start. You can also visit the energy.gov for a free download of their Energy Saver Guide for more ideas. The most important thing you can do is schedule regular inspections of any heating system you have in your home. Regular checkups ensure each part is doing its job and doing it well. Keeping your HVAC system running efficiently is one of the best ways to be sure that you are not wasting energy and money during the cold weather season. Be sure to get in touch with us if you need to schedule a service call or regular maintenance – we’re here to help!