As temperatures begin to drop, you may be thinking about how you can best keep your home warm throughout the winter months. Your heating system works hard to keep your home comfortable, and if it isn’t correctly cared for, it can break down when you need it most. Here are five tips to help minimize the strain on your heating system during winter and help keep your energy bills in check.
1. Open and close doors carefully. Every time you open and close a door, warm air escapes, and cold air enters. This causes your heating system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature inside your home. To minimize this strain, make sure you close doors gently and only open them when necessary.
2. Minimize drafts from windows. Drafty windows are another common source of heat loss in homes. To help reduce drafts, seal any gaps around your windows with weatherstripping or caulking. You can also install storm windows to your existing windows for an extra layer of insulation against the cold.
3. Change your air filters regularly. Your air filters are essential in keeping your heating and cooling system running smoothly. Over time, air filters can become clogged with dust and debris, which makes them less effective at doing their job. To keep your heating system running efficiently, change your air filters every 1-3 months.
4. Use a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can help you save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature in your home based on your schedule. For example, if you’re typically away from home during the day, you can set the temperature lower while you’re gone and raise it again before you come home to ensure your comfort while saving energy and money.
5. Schedule routine maintenance appointments. The best way to keep your heating system running smoothly is to have it serviced by a professional regularly—typically once per year. During a routine maintenance appointment, a technician will clean and inspect your system to ensure it’s running properly and identify and address any necessary repairs or adjustments.
Following these five tips can help minimize the strain on your heating system this winter and help keep your energy bill in check. If you have any concerns about your heating and cooling system or would like to schedule a routine maintenance appointment, just call Roy’s today! Our team of experts would be happy to help ensure your heating system is ready for winter weather and take the worry away!