The more often you’re using your home’s heating system, the more wear and tear it accumulates, and the more money you’ll be spending on energy bills. We’ve arrived at the coldest part of the year, which means you’re going to be spending more time inside your house, and there’s a good chance you’ll want to keep the thermostat turned up during much of that time. If you’re not careful, this could result in a lot of extra money being spent, not just on monthly bills, but also on any repair jobs that your furnace may end up needing. If you’re proactive though, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your heating system is as prepared as possible for the extra needs of the winter months.
1. Insulate Your Attic
As you may be aware, heat always rises. If the attic in your house isn’t properly insulated, there will be nothing to prevent that rising heat from escaping through the roof. There will also be no barrier to keep cold air from seeping in from outside, either. With this major source of heat loss in your home, your heating system will need to work harder to compensate. This can result in less effective heating as well as higher energy bills, and also puts an unhealthy strain on the furnace. If you install high-quality insulation in your attic, much more of that warmth is going to remain inside your home, making you more comfortable and making life much easier for your heating unit. Spray foam insulation is a very effective option, though it needs to be installed by a trained professional.
2. Furnace Maintenance
A big part of winterizing your furnace is ensuring that it’s equipped to operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible when the weather gets cold, and scheduling a furnace maintenance tune-up can go a long way towards achieving this. When you bring in a trained heating technician for a tune-up, they will have two primary goals. The first will be to make any adjustments that improve the effectiveness and energy efficiency of the heating system. This will allow it to do a better job of keeping you warm, and to do it without costing you too much money on monthly bills.
The second goal will be to determine if there are any signs of upcoming problems with the furnace. If there are, they will consult with you about the best way to proceed, whether it be replacing a worn-out component or conducting a preemptive repair job. This part of the process will lower your chances of experiencing a furnace breakdown or malfunction during the winter.
3. Clean Your Vents
Your heating system relies heavily on the vents in your home, as it uses them to spread warm air throughout the household. If too much dirt, dust, or debris accumulates within those vents, though, it makes it harder for the furnace to do its job and also worsens your air quality. At least once a month, visit each vent in your home, remove the protective cover with a screwdriver, and use an extension hose to vacuum the interior area.
4. Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
When your furnace’s air filter is working properly, it will be able to keep the appliance from getting clogged or dirty. However, when too much dust and dirt gets trapped in the filter, it will become difficult for the heating system to pull air through it. This is a problem, as it will put extra strain on the heating unit. This can have a number of negative effects, namely wasted energy, extra wear and tear on the furnace, and worsened indoor air quality. You can avoid these effects, though, by checking the air filter once a month and replacing it with a new one whenever necessary.
Since we opened our doors in 1989, we at Climate Control have been providing the highest quality heating and cooling services to the greater Portland, OR, area. Our top priority is that our customers receive fair and honest treatment, and we respond to all of their needs in a prompt and courteous manner. To ensure that we provide the best service, we are constantly educating our team on any updates to the industry. In addition to heating and cooling work, we also offer services in duct cleaning, indoor air quality, ductless systems, and water heaters.
We would love to help ensure that your household stays comfortable year-round. Call us up at Climate Control today, and schedule an appointment now.
