Before you know it, winter weather will be here, and with it will come a not so welcome increase in your utility bills. Homeowners across know that there is no way around the added cost of winter heating bills. But they should also be aware that there are many ways to help their furnace do a better job of heating their house to save money without sacrificing comfort.
Furnace TLC That Pays Off
It sounds very simplistic, but a fresh air filter will go a long way to increasing the energy efficiency of your furnace. The air filter’s job is to remove potentially damaging debris from the air that is entering the furnace. But by doing its job well, it becomes covered in dust and dirt that restricts the airflow. As the filter gets dirtier, the furnace has to work harder and harder to move air through it. And that added workload is costing you money.
At a minimum, replace the air filters in your HVAC system every three months. But to get the most bang for your buck, check the air filters each month and replace them as needed for optimal airflow and energy efficiency. You will also appreciate that the fresh air filters will help eliminate more dust throughout your home to lighten your workload when dusting the house.
It is also recommended that you remove the access panels from the furnace once each year and vacuum the dust and debris from inside the unit. It will help keep the furnace filters functioning longer and reduce the potential for damage to the delicate components inside your furnace.
Don’t Neglect The Vents
When vacuuming the furnace, it is also good to show some love to your vents and ductwork. Remove the small vent covers and clean them and into the ducts with a shop vac or vacuum cleaner hose. This simple process will remove dust and dirt that would accumulate on your furnace’s filters and overwork it during the cold winter months. In addition, it will help reduce the time you spend dusting the house each week.
Think About Your Thermostat
The U. S. Department of Energy recommends that thermostats be set at 68 degrees during the day and 58 to 61 degrees when sleeping. This will help save energy and stress on your furnace. And while you are all cozy and sleeping, you will never notice the drop in temperature. This simple adjustment is estimated to deliver as much as 10% savings on your heating cost.
Consider a programmable unit for even more savings and less potential to forget to reset the thermostat at night. These thermostats are easy to install and allow you to program when to adjust the temperature in your home for maximum savings on your heating bills. In addition, check with your local utility providers for rebates associated with the installation of a programmable thermostat to save even more money.
Get A Tune-Up This Fall
When planning a family road trip, one of the things you always do is get the car tuned up. You know that a small investment will deliver a great return on investment with better gas mileage and savings. The same is true for your furnace. A professional tune-up before winter weather rolls in will ensure that your furnace is operating as energy-efficiently as possible. It is also great to have the added peace of mind knowing that you will not be facing any unexpected furnace outage on a cold winter night. So call (912) 225-4056 to schedule your furnace tune-up today with the pros at Thompson & Thompson Service Group.
