Winter is the prime season where your furnace should be at its best. Your unit could run 24/7 in order to provide your family’s heating needs. For this reason, you should be prepared to see a considerable hike in your utility costs. However, you are not without help. There are simple things you can do to minimize your energy use.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted heating company in Bloomington MN that aims to help you create a totally comfortable home sans the unreasonably inflated energy costs.
Here are easy yet proven ways to reduce your heating bills this winter.
Start with the filter.
This is the first part you’d want to manage. Your filter collects dust, dirt, and debris, which allows it to maintain proper airflow within your system. When the filter gets congested, it limits airflow, which results in higher energy consumption as well as system overheating. A dirty furnace tends to overheat because it operates with added strain. To avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt within your heating system, be sure to clean or replace your filters regularly. Replacing your filters at least once per month this season is a great starting point.
Layering is the way to go.
Feeling warm and cozy this winter doesn’t have to be expensive. Wearing layers of clothing is the most practical and easiest way to feel warm. Therefore, don’t rush to take off your sweaters and jackets as soon as you get home. Instead, put on warm clothing inside and adjust the thermostat accordingly.
How to do it? Well, the idea is to get insulation between you and the environment. Layers work well because they allow you to add or remove clothing to your liking. Synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene are some of the best for winter. You can use them for your base layer. Synthetics wick moisture away and insulate the body even when wet. For your mid-layer try wool and silk, which are also perfect for the cold weather. Wool insulates better and is naturally odor-resistant. For your third layer, be sure to wear thick fabrics, especially when the weather is excessively cold. As much as possible, avoid cotton because it absorbs water and holds it next to your skin.
Enhance your home’s insulation.
Heat is always transferring from a warmer to a cooler area. That is why throughout this season, a significant amount of energy can be moved through exterior walls, rather than staying in your home to keep you warm. How should you deal with this? Improve the insulation in your walls, which will give your home a higher heat flow resistance or what is referred to as an R-value. This is a measure of how well an object resists conductive heat flow. The general rule of thumb is that the higher R-value is better, and means less air escapes to the outside of the house.
The most important part of your home that needs to have high-quality insulation is the attic. As mentioned earlier, heat rises, so in the winter, when you have your furnace delivering heated air throughout your home, a lot of that air can escape through the roof via the attic. This can make you uncomfortably cold, forcing you to crank up the thermostat and increase your energy bills.
By improving your home’s insulation, not only do you save money on energy, but you also protect your home from moisture penetration. This helps prevent mold, odor, and rot, which can be highly dangerous and damaging to your home. Good insulation also helps maintain your comfort by creating more consistent temperatures and less draft throughout your home.
Keep your furnace clean.
Like any other home appliance, keeping your furnace clean ensures great performance. Making sure it is clean, lubricated, and properly tuned-up enables your heating system to work with ease. This allows your furnace to minimize its energy consumption. Experts estimate that a clean furnace can help you save as much as 5 percent on your monthly heating costs.
Consider Professional Furnace Maintenance
The single, most effective way to ensure your furnace works at its best is to have it regularly maintained by a qualified technician, who will clean the system through and through, make sure it is tuned-up, and calibrate it according to the manufacturer’s standards. For more information, please call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We are your reliable Richfield furnace maintenance company.