Heating is a powerful tool to keep you and your family comfortable throughout the winter months. But, it can be expensive to keep the thermostat cranked to the maximum level for several months at a time. So, to help you get the most out of your heating system without draining your budget, here are some heating tips.
Make sure your thermostat is accurate. Not only should they be maintained regularly with proper calibration, they should be kept away from external heat sources that might give false readings. Being near a fish tank or oven or other heat or cold emitting appliances can cause these false readings and cause your heater to work improperly.
Additionally, you should consider installing new thermostats that provide better control. Multiple climate zone control helps you set the heat in individual rooms while digital thermostats allow you to set timers that keep the furnace from turning on when no one is home.
If you plan on leaving the house, make sure to turn down your thermostat as well. If it is not freezing outside, turn off your heating system completely. If it is freezing, keep it on just warm enough to ensure nothing freezes.
We recommend regular maintenance on an annual basis. However, you can also maintain certain aspects of your heating system throughout the year with some simple tasks.
To start with, remove any excess dust from the motor and lower blades of your furnace (make sure the electricity is turned off before doing anything with your furnace). Also, on a monthly basis you should vacuum any vents or grills you can easily access to reduce debris buildup.
If you need maintenance done on your thermostat, burners, pilot assembly, pressure regulator, heat exchanger, flue pipe, or any other moving parts, call for professional assistance. It’s not recommended that you perform your own maintenance on these parts due to the danger of injury.
Heat loss is a major factor in the overall efficiency of your heating system. If you allow too much heat to escape from your home through unsealed windows, open doors or poorly insulated attic space, your heater is forced to work overtime to replace the lost heat. You can avoid this problem by having insulation installed throughout your home and any cracks sealed. There are a number of incentives to make these energy efficient changes, not to mention the reduction in energy cost on your next bill.
Most people don’t realize that humidity can have such a substantial effect on the heating capacity of their furnace. However, if it is too dry in your home,heat dissipates far more quickly, rising out of the room and leaving you with only cold, dry air. Humidifiers are generally inexpensive and easy to install. They can even be installed on a room by room basis so that they do the most good in areas where you spend the majority of your time. Not only will proper humidity control help you maintain steady heating in your home, it will keep your skin and furniture from drying out during the coldest months of winter.
Just because your heater turns on does not mean it is working at optimal efficiency. Check your heater on a regular basis to make sure there are not accumulating problems with any of the components. Listen for unfamiliar sounds, check for uneven heating in rooms, and watch for a spike in energy costs on your next bill. Any of these factors may signal a problem with your heating system’s efficiency.
It is recommended and required by law that a carbon monoxide detector be installed in the home.