In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common mistakes made by homeowners during the winter as they look to heat their homes. While many of these are well-intentioned or based on understandable gaps in knowledge, they can lead to issues ranging from spiking heating bills up to long-term stress and damage to your HVAC system.
At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help not only provide your home with proper HVAC equipment like furnace installation and repair, but also offer expertise on the use and maintenance of these components. What are some of the other common mistakes we help our clients avoid as they look to heat their home both affordably and comfortably this winter? Here are a few to keep in mind.
Curtains and Window Concerns
Curtains and window dressings are an area where homeowners should be proceeding in the opposite manner from the summer period. During warm season, keeping blinds or curtains closed during the heat of the day is a great way to limit the home’s interior temperature – during the winter, on the other hand, these should be opened during the day to allow the sun to assist in warming the home. This is free heat you should not avoid.
In addition, always ensure windows are properly closed and locked. You might be shocked how much harder your furnace and HVAC system will have to work to heat the home if even a small gap is present in certain windows, allowing air out when it should be kept in.
Vent Closing
Some homeowners assume that closing all vents in rooms that aren’t being used is a way to save on heating costs. This is not true – ducts in your home are meant to heat the entire area evenly, and will stop working correctly if you close vents unevenly. HVAC professionals recommend keeping all vents in the home open even if you aren’t using certain areas or rooms.
Leaks or Drafts
If you notice any drafts of cold air where there shouldn’t be, or especially if you find leaks, gaps or full-on cracks in your entryways, door areas or similar locations, these should be attended to right away. Leaving them alone will only cause them to worsen, and as we noted above, even small gaps leading to air loss will cause enormous strain on the furnace – and a rise in your heating bill simultaneously.
Regular Maintenance
Finally, perhaps the single largest mistake you can make this season is putting off annual HVAC maintenance. Best done twice a year, during the fall and spring, this maintenance allows us to ensure your system is in good shape headed into a new season – we’ll inspect the entire setup, ensure there are no minor issues that require repair and set you up for the season ahead.
For more on avoiding common heating mistakes during the winter, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.