Conserving energy at home lowers your environmental impact and cost of living. During winter, many people want to hole up in warm and cozy homes. In the quest to keep warm up, you can make many possible mistakes.
The good news is that you do not have to make the same mistakes others did. This post seeks to highlight the don’ts of heating your home. Read on to see the heating mistakes many make and avoid them.
Ignoring or Forgetting Maintenance
Neglecting regular maintenance may sound simple and harmless, but it is one of the most common and costly heating mistakes many people make. Ignoring HVAC maintenance will affect the power and efficiency of your system negatively. Make it a habit to conduct regular preventive maintenance during the fall and the spring. CM Heating furnace and repair service for instance, will ensure that your unit is always in top-notch condition.
In addition, regular maintenance not only improves the performance of your heating system, but it can also help avoid costly repairs down the line. It’s important to note that most HVAC manufacturers require regular maintenance as a condition for any warranty coverage available. So, by neglecting maintenance, you’re not only putting your system at risk but also potentially voiding any warranty protection you may have.
Dirty Filters
Air filters prevent debris and dust from getting into your home. Failing to replace your filters regularly will cause debris and dust to build. Your system will overwork, hence spiking your utility bills. Ensure you return your filter monthly for cheap fiberglass filters or after six months for pleated filters.
Heating Empty Spaces
When away from home, mostly, or over the weekend, don’t heat your space like you are there. Consider a programmable thermostat that senses the need to adjust the temperature accordingly. A smart thermostat will save you money on energy bills. You can set it to turn down when you are away and warm up the house when you are almost home.
Leaving Your Windows Unlocked
People will always keep the windows closed in winter, but do you remember to lock them? When windows are not tightly sealed, cold air will infiltrate your home and leak out your warm air in the furnace. Lock all your windows during the winter months.
Crank Up the Thermostat
When it is too cold, you may be tempted to heat your home faster by cranking up the thermostat faster than it needs to. Unlike many people believe, turning your thermostat higher than average does not affect how fast your home heats up. You will only get higher utility bills.
Underestimating Leaks and Ducks
Your home loses a lot of heat through drafts and leaks. Check all exterior walls, windows, and doors for drafts, then seal and caulk anywhere cold air is coming through, as the vents let out warm air. Please pay particular attention to the attic and basement as they are the worst offenders.
Use the Fireplace to Heat the Room
Turning your thermostat down to use the fireplace for heating a small space may seem like a brilliant idea, but it is not. You may be doing more harm than good as the heated air goes to the chimney, then out of your house. Chilly air will also get in from outside, making the furnace work harder as the place is colder.
Leaving Exhaust Fans On
Like anything else, turn off the exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathroom once you finish. Exhaust fans are crucial as they purge smelly air or moisture from home. Unfortunately, when exhaust fans are left on, they will pump warm air out of your house longer than necessary.
Closing Vents in Unused Rooms
Closing vents in unoccupied rooms sounds like an excellent money-saving idea. However, heating an empty room does not make any financial sense. Your heating system ductwork is sized to provide even heating throughout your home, and the system does not work well if you interfere with the balance.
Conclusion
Some of these mistakes can cost you money and others time. Unfortunately, in extreme cases, they will cost you both time and money. The above tips will help you avoid the most common heating mistakes many people make.