As the temperatures drop during the winter months, it’s typical to see energy costs soar. One of the best ways to ensure that you don’t get hit with an unexpectedly high utility bill is to make sure your furnace is running efficiently.
You might be wondering what you can do to save money, prevent costly repairs, and increase the efficiency of your furnace . Follow these four simple tips, and you’ll be well on your way to having the most efficient furnace in your neighborhood!
1. Unblock All Air Vents One of the first—and easiest—tasks to accomplish is to make sure there isn’t anything blocking your registers, baseboard heaters, or radiators. Pay especially close attention to furniture and heavy curtains, and move any items that are causing obstructions. A sure sign that your air vents are blocked is if one room in your home feels remarkably colder than another.
2. Change Your Furnace Filters Another simple, yet often overlooked task is changing your furnace filters . These filters are designed to trap allergens such as dust, dirt, pet hair, and pollen, and can quickly become clogged—especially if you have pets in your home. Typically, you should change your furnace filter every 3 to 12 months, although you should check your owner’s manual to determine the preferred timing for your particular furnace.
Why it’s so important to change your furnace filter ?
Dirty filters cause your furnace to work overtime to produce heat and keep your home warm. Simply put, if you don’t change your filter regularly, your furnace will run inefficiently. Plus, the harder your furnace works, the more likely you are to need furnace repair services—and you’ll probably see an increase in your utility costs.
3. Program Your Thermostat Correctly One of the best ways to save money and increase the efficiency of your furnace is to program your thermostat for colder weather. Most HVAC contractors suggest setting your thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature in order to decrease the amount of energy your furnace uses to heat your home.
You can even program your thermostat to a lower temperature at times when your family is typically out of your home or during the overnight hours. If you’re heading out for a vacation, lower the thermostat even further, but keep it above 55 degrees to prevent your pipes from freezing.
4. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance Many HVAC contractors offer annual maintenance plans in order to keep your furnace performing at its highest efficiency. Even if you don’t sign up for a maintenance plan , you should still make an appointment to have your system inspected at least once a year. By having your furnace inspected and cleaned annually, you’ll save money in the long run and won’t have to worry about needing a furnace replacement during the coldest time of the year.
At Happy Home Heating & Cooling, we offer professional HVAC service 24/7 to ensure that your family is always comfortable, and our trained technicians have the skills and expertise necessary to keep your system running efficiently. If you think your furnace isn’t performing as it should, give us a call today! You can also use our quick online form now to request a free project estimate and consultation.