In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basic tips on improving your home’s heating efficiency. As we move into fall and toward the colder winter, many homeowners are interested in improving their home’s ability to keep them comfortable without racking up a huge heating bill.
At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help. We offer a huge range of heating services, from furnace tune-ups to furnace replacement, boiler installation and even assistance with ductless heating systems. We’ve helped countless clients improve their home’s heating efficiency to stay warm throughout the winter without breaking the bank – here are some additional tips we offer on keeping your heating system efficient.
Changing Filters
While you may think of HVAC filters for air quality only, this simply isn’t the extent of their value. They also play a significant role in the operation of the system – a clogged or dirty air filter will block significant amounts of air, limiting how efficient the system can be at any time of year.
Simply put, you should be following specific directions for how often filters need to be changed or cleaned. This is usually around once a month or so, but will vary between filter types.
Storm Window Installation
As we noted in part one, windows are often a significant source of heat loss. One possible solution is insulating them with window treatments, which we also went over, but another is installing storm windows. This is especially valuable for those still dealing with older single-pane windows, which experience heat loss commonly.
Storm windows are mounted on the exterior of the existing material, providing extra protection against both temperature and the elements. Plus, in the spring, they’re easily removed and stored until the following year.
Ceiling Fan Utilization
Did you know that ceiling fans can be useful for heating and not just cooling? That’s right: Any ceiling fan in your home can be reversed using the small switch at the center of the fan. While the fan normally runs counterclockwise during spring and summer, blowing cool air downward, changing it to clockwise will cause the fan to blow upward, forcing warm air trapped higher in a given room to circulate and warm up the entire space.
Outlet Gaskets
Finally, one other cause of heat loss that can be particularly noticeable in larger homes is cold air blowing in around or through electrical outlets. If your home has at least 15 or 20 outlets, you might consider foam-rubber gaskets that simply cover the space and stop air from getting through, all without disrupting the outlet’s normal usage.
For more on how to improve your home’s heating efficiency, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.