Your furnace is perhaps the most used piece of equipment in your home these days, and you want it to be in tip-top shape to ensure it performs its job effortlessly. But as the homeowner, there are a few tweaks and changes you can make to practice easy yet effective maintenance habits. As a result, you will get supreme heating for your home.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your friendly heating company in Blaine MN that can help you get the most out of your heating system. Here are a few tips to help improve your home heating:
Stay on top of your filter.
The proper management of your filter helps you in more ways than you might think. Being the part that cleans the air in your home and prevents airborne particles from entering your furnace, the filter needs to be changed regularly. It collects enormous amounts of debris that can hamper the airflow within the system. When clogged, there is added strain to the furnace, causing it to work harder than it should. As a result, your energy bills rise and the furnace works under pressure. During this time of year, your furnace works nearly 24/7 and the filter should, therefore, be replaced every 30 days.
Changing a furnace filter varies by size and type. Your user’s manual will tell you whether you have a disposable or a reusable type of filter as well as the proper size. The quality of your indoor air can also be a factor. If you have a larger home, more air is moved and will block the filter much faster compared to a smaller one. If you have pets, you need to replace your filter twice as often as pet dander and hair clog filters much faster.
When shopping for filters, try buying more and store them near the furnace, which will minimize the chances of delaying filter replacement. Buying in bulk can also lower the cost of each filter replacement.
Boost your home’s insulation.
Heat naturally moves from a warmer to a cooler place. During winter, a significant amount of heat generated by your furnace can be transferred through exterior walls instead of keeping it in your home to keep you warm.
The best way to do to improve your home’s insulation is to seal air leaks and upgrade your insulation in the attic and basement. By doing so, you can easily lower your heating and cooling costs by 30 percent or more. Better insulation is not only good for you and your furnace, but it is also beneficial to the environment because of your home’s reduced carbon emissions from your heating system.
Use a humidifier.
No, a humidifier does not heat your home but it does help you improve your home heating since water vapor holds more heat than dry air. That may seem a little impalpable, but a humidifier helps you actually feel the heat on your skin. This can cause you to lower the setting on your furnace and save money in the process. According to research, reducing your thermostat by at least one degree over eight hours can save one percent on your heating bills.
Use blinds or curtains wisely.
Sunlight even during this time of year can make a real difference in terms of improving your home’s comfort levels. At daytime, you can maximize the heat from the sun by leaving your south-facing windows uncovered. Then, cover all windows after dark to create an effortless yet effective insulation layer. Use thicker coverings, which provide better insulation.
Have your furnace professionally maintained.
To ensure your furnace remains at peak performance, proper system maintenance is needed. Not only does it improve your system’s heating efficiency, but it also prevents expensive repairs and premature system failure. Professional furnace maintenance includes the cleaning of the inside and outside of your entire heating system, tests for safety measures, evaluation of your home’s indoor air quality and proper performance of the unit itself. A furnace that is routinely inspected and maintained by a professional gives you supreme home heating.
Call the Heating Experts For first-class home heating, be sure to call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning, your leading Columbia Heights furnace maintenance company.