Contents
Home heating makes up a significant portion of your monthly energy costs. As a result, many homeowners always search for the most effective methods to lower their energy costs. The bad news is that many mistakes are often made in the process, leading to various home heating problems. Learning these mistakes can help you make smart decisions for your home while keeping your hard-earned money in the bank. Wilcox Energy is a heater maintenance specialist that will share what you need to avoid when it comes to winter home heating.
8 Mistakes To Avoid While Heating Your Home During The Winter
As winter approaches and the temperature drops, you’ll find yourself reaching for the thermostat to set your preferred temperature. This way, the house can start getting warm. However, you may notice that your bills are getting higher and higher. Your heating system may also not be as efficient as you’d like it to be, and your house may not feel as warm.
It may be because you are heating your home incorrectly without knowing. This results in your furnace and thermostat overworking and an increase in your heating bills. Here are eight mistakes to avoid when heating your home this winter:
Heating An Empty House
Do not heat your home if it is unoccupied. Turn down your heating system when you leave your home in the morning. You can turn it on or up when you get back home, adjusting the thermostat setting to normal, more comfortable levels. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to help you achieve optimal comfort. It allows you to control your heating system per your preferences automatically. This significantly helps you avoid the expensive mistake of heating an empty house.
Neglecting Your Heating System
It is easy to forget or ignore your heating system during the summer when you do not use it often. Some homeowners would turn on their furnace when winter arrives without giving their heating unit a tune-up. As a result, they end up dealing with poor performance and high energy costs. The system also experiences frequent breakdowns, which may require emergency HVAC service repair jobs. Therefore, neglecting your furnace is one of the costliest mistakes you can make. Ensure that your furnace receives maintenance before winter starts. This way, your unit will perform as it should and keep you toasty and comfortable during the cold season.
Ignoring Unusual Heating Smells
Odd smells like a rotten egg shouldn’t be ignored. The rotten egg smell can point to a furnace or gas leak, which has severe consequences. Moreover, the furnace may be releasing toxic gasses into your home. If so, get out of the house immediately and call 911. Schedule an emergency heating system repair service with your HVAC company as well. Some homeowners often make the mistake of ignoring these odd smells and use an air freshener instead to mask the smell. Don’t make this mistake and instead call for a furnace repair.
Cranking Up The Thermostat
A thermostat doesn’t control the heat intensity your furnace generates. When the set point is achieved, it only turns the unit on and off. Therefore, cranking up the thermostat won’t make your furnace heat your home faster. It will only delay your furnace from turning off even after it reaches the set temperature. This will increase your energy bills, so it is best to get rid of this habit.
Operating A Wood-Burning Fireplace
Having a wood furnace in your home may seem like a good idea. However, the hot air from the fireplace typically escapes via the chimney. Moreover, cold air from the outside can get inside your home through the chimney. Therefore, a wood-burning fireplace offers little to no benefit when it comes to space heating.
Not Changing The Air Filters
A furnace that has a dirty air filter will work harder and consume more energy. Ensure that you clean or change your furnace’s air filter regularly. This lets your furnace have a more efficient and economical operation.
Leaving Your Windows Ajar
There may be times when you want to have a cold breeze waft in your home to cool you. Therefore, you crack open a window to let some cold air in. However, you may forget to close the window all the way. It may not seem like a big deal, but it can significantly affect your heating system. Keep in mind that cold air coming inside your house, regardless of how little, can cause your heating unit to work harder than it should to ensure your home stays warm. This eventually strains the unit and spikes up your bills without you realizing it.
Therefore, ensure that all your windows are closed properly and locked so that cold air or drafts cannot pass through them. If you have the budget, install double-paned glass windows to help with this issue.
Ignoring Air Leaks & Drafts
Don’t underestimate how much heat your home loses from leaks and drafts. Drafts in your home mean cold air can enter at all times, which is the opposite of successfully warming your home during the cold season. This means your furnace will work harder to maintain the temperature.
Check all the windows, doors, and exterior walls carefully. Seal and caulk all areas you see where warm air escapes and the cold air comes in. Pay special attention to your attic and basement, as these areas are typically the worst offenders.
Conclusion
A certified HVAC technician should inspect your heating unit on a regular schedule. They can spot any issues, regardless of how small, and resolve them before they become bigger problems. This will save your system from damage. It also saves money and time.
Make sure to contact Wilcox Energy today to discuss any questions you have.
Call Wilcox Energy For All Your HVAC Needs
For high-quality heating and cooling services in the southern Connecticut shoreline, do not hesitate to call Wilcox Energy. Our professionally certified and highly skilled technicians can cater to all your HVAC service needs, including furnace maintenance, boiler installations, air conditioner repairs, and mini-split replacements. Each of our friendly techs can conduct accurate HVAC system services using their years of experience and knowledge.
Our company offers highly competitive HVAC service prices in the area. Our tune-up services can help you have better home comfort and improved energy efficiency while lowering your energy bills. We can recommend the best and most budget-friendly solution if you need to repair or replace your HVAC system. All our work is guaranteed because your satisfaction is our priority. Contact Wilcox Energy today and book your next service appointment. We offer free, in-home estimates.
For more information about heating and cooling systems, be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. You can contact us at (860) 399-6218. We offer a full line of heater and air conditioner repairs, maintenance services, and installations.