Winter heating efficiency
– By #Action Mechanical
With winter fast approaching, many may worry about the impact that keeping their home nice and snug may have on their budget; but you don’t have to choose between an empty wallet and a chilly house. By making sure your heater is running efficiently, you can save as much as 30% on your monthly energy bill, prolong the life of your heater and guard against costly emergency repairs. In addition to regular maintenance checks, here are some simple things you can do to ensure your heater runs as efficiently as possible and helps you keep more money in your pocket this winter.
Change filters regularly
By checking and changing out your home’s air filters on a regular basis, you ensure your heater doesn’t work harder than it needs to in order to move air throughout your home. You can also save up to 15% on your energy bill, which adds up to huge savings over the course of a year. It is recommended to change the air filters in your home every one to three months, with three months being the absolute longest that should pass between filter changes. If someone with allergies resides in your home, or you have pets, changing the air filters more frequently will ensure you receive better air quality in your home. Making a habit of checking your air filters at the same time every month, such as when you pay your electric bill, can help you remember this often overlooked, but very important, household task.
Open air vents
Closing air vents in rooms that are seldom used seems like a common sense solution in conserving energy, but it may in fact be doing your heating system more harm than good. Even though the air vent is closed and won’t allow warm air into the room, it will still work to circulate air out of the room. The disruption in the cycle of air moving in the room can cause pressure to build, and in turn, allow cold air in through any opening, including cracks in the walls. The result will be an increase in energy consumption, and extra wear and tear on your heating system. It is best to keep the vents throughout your house open to allow for air to distribute freely throughout your home.
Keep air vents clear of objects
An open air vent won’t help your air circulate as well if a couch is sitting on top of it. While planning the layout of your home, make sure to note where air vents are located in each room and steer clear of setting furniture or rugs on top of them. Drapes and other objects should also be kept from crowding vents. Blocking the flow of air out of vents can cause your furnace to overheat, and in some cases, even start a fire.
Use a programmable thermostat
Wasting energy heating your house while no one is home will not only cost you more money, but will also mean extra wear and tear on your heating system. You can save a whopping ten percent on your energy statement each month if your lower the temperature in your home by 10°F-15°F for eight hours a day, and a programmable thermostat makes that easy to accomplish. Simply program the thermostat to keep the temperature lower during the time of day that no one will be home, and set it to increase the temperature in order to warm your home before you even leave work. Programmable thermostats don’t cost significantly more than non-programmable ones, and are quickly becoming the norm in household appliances.
A well-maintained heating system is always your number one defense against an emergency springing up that could easily cost you hundreds of dollars. Call Action Mechanical today to set up an appointment for one of our professionals to come out and perform a maintenance check so that you can rest assured that your system will keep you cozy this winter season.
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