A long winter doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, as long as your home is outfitted with the ideal heating system, such as a powerful natural gas furnace. But too often people associate using the heater with paying extremely high winter utility bills. Chances are, though, that those heating bills are unnecessarily high and can be brought down with a few steps and precautions.
If you’re tired of paying too much for your home heating in Fresno, CA or elsewhere in the Central Valley during the winter, we have some important tips to follow. These measures will cut down on heating costs and also reduce the strain on the heating system, giving it an overall longer service life with fewer repair needs.
Remember to schedule professional maintenance
We mention this often in our blog posts, but it bears repeating because it’s that important. You must arrange for a professional to inspect and tune-up your heating system each year before the worst of the cold sets in. There are many benefits to signing up for a routine maintenance program, such as increased safety and system reliability. It’s also a way to save money: a well-maintained heater will keep 95% of its energy efficiency throughout its service life. Without maintenance, the cost to run the heater will soon rise.
Know the right settings for the thermostat
Raising the thermostat as high as it can go is a major energy waste. Not only does this force the heater to work longer, it allows for faster heat loss to the outdoors. The smaller the temperature difference between the inside and outside, the slower heat is lost to the outside. We recommend setting the daytime temperature on the thermostat to 68°F and then lowering it by another 8°F when no one is home and during the night when people are asleep.
Change the furnace filter regularly
The furnace filter is a part of the HVAC system people often forget about. It collects debris over the months, and when it becomes too clogged it will place strain on the blower motor and cause it to consume more energy. The filter needs to be changed every 1 to 3 months, depending on the filter strength. A basic panel filter should be changed every month, while pleated filters can last around 3 months.
Make sure windows are caulked and weather stripping is around the doors
Heat inside the house will seek any spot where it can escape to the outside. Prepare for the winter by having the windows caulked and weather stripping placed around all exterior doors to keep more heat trapped indoors.
Arrange for prompt heating system repairs
As soon as you detect anything amiss with your heating system, call on heating repair professionals to check on it. The problem may not be affecting the heat level coming from the system, but it will create higher work strain on components and result in an increase in energy use.
Our professionals are on call 7 days a week when you need assistance with your heating system.
Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning: Quality Is the Cornerstone of Our Success Since 1952.