Home heating systems can consume a lot of energy to keep an indoor space at a comfortable temperature, and this can leave a homeowner facing high utility bills during the winter months. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to enhance your system’s efficiency and keep your operating costs in check without sacrificing comfort.
Schedule a Maintenance Visit
If you neglect yearly heating system maintenance, its efficiency slowly declines and your energy bills gradually rise. Having the entire system inspected, cleaned and adjusted by a skilled HVAC technician at the start of the heating season can keep it running efficiently. As a bonus, you’ll have peace of mind about safety issues like fuel leaks and carbon monoxide exposure.
Inspect the Furnace Filter Regularly
A dirty filter blocks crucial system airflow and erodes a heating system’s efficiency. Running the system with a badly clogged filter can also trigger the high limit switch that’s designed to shut down the furnace to prevent overheating, which can leave you without heat unexpectedly. You can avoid these problems by checking the filter monthly and replacing it when there’s any visible dirt accumulation.
Seal and Insulate the Air Ducts
If you have a forced-air heating system, the condition of the ducts that deliver warm air throughout your home has a big impact on your heating costs and comfort. Deficiencies like a lack of insulation, disconnected or crushed sections, or gaps around joints, seams and registers can rob you of up to a third of your heating system’s output. You can reduce these losses by having the ducts properly sealed and insulated by an experienced HVAC contractor.
Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
Installing and learning how to set a programmable thermostat allows you to easily schedule energy-saving temperature setbacks when you’re usually sleeping or away from home. There are a variety of models to choose from, so it’s easy to pick one that matches your typical weekly routine. If you program in daily 8-hour setbacks, you can cut your annual heating costs by about 1 percent for each single-degree temperature change.
For more advice about improving the energy efficiency of home heating systems, contact us at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal. We’ve proudly served the home comfort needs of Springdale area residents since 1968.
Our goal is to help Northwest Arkansas homeowners learn more about all the key issues related to their HVAC systems.
479.900.0784
