When the temperature starts to drop outside, homeowners turn to a heating system to stay warm and safe. Unfortunately, running your heating system can be costly. Fortunately, there are various actions that you can take to enhance the overall operating efficiency of your heating system to reduce your utility bills throughout the winter months.
Get Maintenance Service
For any system to function optimally, it needs to receive regular care. When it comes to your heating system, this regular care is mainly in the form of an annual maintenance service from an HVAC technician. It’s best to opt for scheduling this service early in the fall so you can have peace of mind that your heating system is running as efficiently as possible before you need to rely on it every day.
Seal Off Air Leaks
Air leaks are a direct enemy of your heating system. When these air leaks develop around door and window frames on your exterior walls, they can allow cold air to seep right into your home. This lowers your indoor temperature and has your heating system working in overdrive to provide adequate heat for your home. A great way to prevent this overrunning is to simply seal any air leaks in your exterior walls. Both caulking and weatherstripping work quite well. You may even want to use foam inserts behind the coverplates on the light switches and outlets on your exterior walls for better air sealing.
Let Direct Sunlight In
Direct sunlight is a free source of heat that every homeowner should be taking advantage of. Make it a habit to open up your blinds and curtains on windows that receive direct sunlight; these are usually the southernmost-facing windows on your home. Direct sunlight has been shown to enhance a room’s temperature by 10 degrees or more. By relying on natural sunlight to heat up your home throughout the day, your heating system can run less often.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are a must for any homeowner who wants to save on their energy bills this upcoming winter season. These thermostats allow you to program in different temperature settings depending on the day and time. This will allow you to better optimize your heating system’s run time for when you’re home instead of wasting energy heating your home when no one is there. These thermostats monitor your energy use and can even make suggestions about how to alter your settings to reduce your energy use while still keeping a comfortable temperature in your home.
Consider Duct Sealing and Cleaning Services
Ductwork is a necessary component of all forced-air heating systems. Unfortunately, over time, ducting can develop gaps as the natural expansion and contraction process occurs. Anywhere your ducting has a gap, your hot air can easily escape, causing your heating system to run excessively to make up for the loss. Furthermore, as debris accumulates inside your ducting over the years, it can easily restrict airflow. Investing in professional duct cleaning and sealing services can be a great way to help ensure that your ducting is aiding in the efficiency of your heating system instead of working against it.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can be a great addition to any home heating system. In the wintertime, you want to have your fan blades spinning in a clockwise direction. This will force hot air stuck at the top of the room outward. The hot air will hit your walls and be forced back down to the floor. This recirculation of hot air helps to keep your home environment comfortable without having to solely rely on turning up the thermostat and overworking your heating system.
Beef Up Your Insulation
Insulation is a necessary barrier between the temperature inside your home and the outdoors. Each area of the country will have set building code standards for the necessary R-value for a home. It’s best to ensure that your home either meets or exceeds the R-value for your area. Additionally, be sure to evaluate the state of your insulation each fall. If any areas are missing or if your insulation has seemed to sink down, consider adding more. The better your insulation, the more heat you can trap indoors and the less your heating system will have to run.
Regular HVAC Filter Changes
The effectiveness of your heating system is going to be drastically affected by its air filter. When the filter is in good working condition, your heating system will function optimally. However, if your HVAC filter is dirty, it will restrict airflow through your ducting. This can lead to a very inefficient heating system and even cause excess wear and tear on its internal components. Be sure to check the HVAC filter every month and to replace it when necessary.
Consider an Upgrade
If your existing heating system is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Aging heating systems tend to become less and less efficient over time. Newer heating systems offer a much higher operating efficiency. Most types of heating systems are available in high-efficiency models so you can take advantage of even better operating efficiency for a slightly higher upfront price.
Keep Vents Clear
For the air vents throughout your home to function optimally, they need to remain fully open and have at least three feet of open space around them. If there are any obstructions, like furniture or a plant, in front of them, their ability to operate will be restricted. At the start of the fall season, it’s best to walk around to each one of your air vents and ensure that there are no obstructions blocking its airflow and that the vent is in the open position.
Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clear
If you’re one of the many Florida homeowners who rely on a heat pump to provide heat for your home in the winter months, then you’ll need to take care of your outdoor condenser unit. It’s necessary to ensure that it remains clear of debris, like leaves, as any debris against the side of the condenser unit could restrict its ability to adequately heat your home. Make it a habit to check the unit every couple of weeks and after every major storm.
Get an Energy Audit
One surefire way to identify areas of heat loss in your home is to get a professional energy audit. This is where an HVAC technician will evaluate your entire home to determine areas where heat loss is present. When you know where your problem areas are, you can actively address them to ensure that you’re keeping more heat inside your home during the winter months.
Reliable Heating Maintenance Service
Ahoy! Cooling & Heating offers reliable heating maintenance service for the Tampa Bay, FL area. We can also assist with all your cooling, heating, ductless system, thermostat installation, commercial HVAC, zoning system, and indoor air quality needs. Contact our office today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our HVAC technicians.
