Winter is here and you might already have your furnace up and running, but there are still some preventative measures you can take to save money and time this season.
Many homeowners think that heating is as easy as turning on the furnace and setting the thermostat to a high temperature, then forgetting about the rest.
However, the truth is that there are many heating mistakes that homeowners can make during the winter that can result in higher risks of respiratory problems and system malfunctions.
We want to help you avoid them, so we put together this comprehensive guide of 5 heating mistakes to avoid this winter!
Mistake #1: Cranking Up the Heat
A lot of times homeowners make the mistake of thinking that cranking up the heat will allow their homes to heat up faster, this is simply false.
Furnaces run at one speed when turned on, so it doesn’t matter if it is set up high or low, it will heat up your house at the same speed. Cranking up the heat like this can cause unwanted stress to the system that can result in bigger issues and higher utility bills.
This practice just forces your furnace or heat pump to work longer and harder to produce the same amount of heat. What’s the solution? Set your thermostat to your desired temperature and leave it there! Don’t constantly adjust the temperature up and down; allow your furnace to work as it’s designed to.
If you run into the issue of having to keep readjusting your heating preferences because you feel like your home might not be warm enough this might be an indication of a bigger problem in your heating system.
Mistake #2: Not Changing Your Air Filters
One of the most important parts of a furnace is the air filter. Dirty air filters can result in reduced airflow, making it harder for your home to warm up and ultimately resulting in higher utility bills.
Dirty air filters can also deteriorate your indoor air quality and reduce your comfort while putting you at higher risk for respiratory problems.
What’s the solution? Most HVAC professionals will advise you to change your air filters every 3 months to improve lifespan and durability. This is an easy task that saves a lot of headaches down the road.
Mistake #3: Closing Unused Vents
While you might think that you are saving money by closing the vents in rooms that are not used, you are actually doing the opposite.
Heating systems are set up to deliver the same amount of heat to every room, so when you close a vent it causes unnecessary stress to the heating system making the heat distribution unbalanced.
This will cause your heating system to work extra hard but with little efficiency, which means that you will have to turn up the heat and your utility bill will rise as a result.
Let your furnace work the way it’s supposed to—make sure to keep all your vents open during the winter to keep a balanced heat distribution throughout your home during the wintertime.
Mistake #4: Not Sealing Air Leaks
During the wintertime, you may notice cold spots by your windows, doors, and other barriers between your home and the outside world. These are usually due to tiny leaks or cracks letting cold air in, and warm air out. Though small, these leaks can raise your utility bills quite a bit over the whole winter.
What’s the solution? Check around your doors and windows, where you are more likely to find these kinds of air leaks. Make sure that everything is sealed as it should be, from weathering strips to doors and window frames.
Mistake #5: Neglecting Furnace Maintenance
According to Energy Star, you should have your furnace checked once per year, at the minimum.
Beyond safety and regulatory reasons, getting your furnace checked is a great way to save you money in the long term!
A furnace that’s in good operating condition will save you money on your utility bills since it won’t have to work as hard or use as much power. Plus, if you neglect smaller maintenance needs, they may compound into a more expensive and catastrophic incident down the road.
While you might be able to do some maintenance (like replacing your filter) yourself, it’s important to call HVAC professionals to make sure everything gets done properly!
HVAC professionals have a specific list of inspection and maintenance items to go through with your heating and cooling system, many of which the average homeowner wouldn’t want (or be qualified) to do themselves.
Hoosier Indoor Air Can Help
As the winter months draw near, make sure you’re on top of your yearly furnace maintenance!
Whether you need emergency heating repairs, new furnace installation, or seasonal furnace maintenance, Hoosier Indoor Air is here to help keep you warm during the cold Indiana winters.
We’ll take care of your HVAC needs so you don’t have to worry about them, allowing you to just focus on living your life.
One of the ways we do this is through our Comfort Guard™ maintenance plan! This service includes more than just routine maintenance. It also offers discounts and perks for heating and cooling repair services—and more—for just $18 per month!
Our certified HVAC technicians are standing by and equipped to handle any type of heating problem in your home. To schedule an appointment or learn more about how we can serve you, call 317-466-7437 or book a visit online.
