Our coldest month is upon us, which means many of you are doing your due diligence to cut down on costs. After all, according to Energy Star, your heaters account for the largest part of your utility bill. But in your efforts to save, you may stumble upon misinformation that leads you astray. Has anyone told you that you can conserve energy by closing the doors to rooms that don’t need to be heated? Unfortunately, that’s wrong, along with a lot of other false statements out there. The experts at LEGACY are here to help you avoid these common heating mistakes, so you’re not spending anything over what’s necessary.
Cranking up the temperature
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts when it comes to your heater. There’s only one speed, so if you think inflating the temperature will get you warmer quicker, it won’t. This will only make your heater work harder, thus costing you more money.
Letting heat escape through gaps
Cold air loves to creep in through the gaps in your windows and doors, and this puts a strain on your heating system. Don’t let precious and expensive warm air leave by installing draft stoppers or with weatherstripping.
Relying on other sources of heat
You may not be feeling warm air to the effect that you want, so you turn to other sources of heat, such as your fireplace or space heater. We recommend you use them in conjunction with your heating system instead of relying on them completely to warm your entire house. They can get expensive and are fire hazards.
Closing doors and vents
It makes sense that you should close off doorways and vents to rooms that are unused, right? On the contrary, this puts extra pressure on your system and obstructs airflow. It’s best to leave them open to avoid a higher heating bill.
Heating at the wrong times
Allowing your furnace to run at all times can be a real waste of money. There are opportunities where you can give it a break and get a break on your utility bill. Set your programmable thermostat on a schedule that runs on a lower temperature when everyone is out of the house or sleeping. The right settings can save you as much as 10% on your heating costs.
Contact LEGACY
By making sure you avoid these mistakes, you can ensure your heating system works efficiently and appropriately. We also recommend getting annual maintenance with a professional who can diagnose and catch more significant issues. At LEGACY, our experts are highly trained in all aspects of furnace inspection, repair, and installation, and we’re here to help you today. Schedule your next appointment with us online or by giving us a call at (725) 237-2441.
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