When temperatures start to drop and the days get shorter, you’ll naturally start to think of turning up the furnace to keep the indoor environment warm and comfortable. Sadly, most homeowners don’t realize that there are certain mistakes they’ve been making that affect their system’s efficiency. While some of these may seem subtle, they can actually take a toll on your monthly energy bill.
However, by avoiding these mistakes, it’s still possible to cut your home’s heating costs. Our residential and commercial HVAC experts at Richardson Air Systems have shared below some of the common mistakes you probably didn’t know you were making:
Setting your thermostat too high. As much as possible, avoid trying to heat up your home faster by cranking up the thermostat further than it needs to go. This isn’t necessary, as turning your thermostat up too high has no real effect on how fast your home will actually heat up. Your furnace will only end up running longer, which means it will consume more energy and leave you with a higher utility bill.
Leaving your windows unlocked. You might have your windows closed during the winter season, but may not remember to keep them locked. If they’re not tightly sealed, cold air can get into your home while the warm air produced by your furnace leaks out. As locally-trusted air conditioning and heating contractors, we always remind our customers to check their windows and make sure that they’re locked. Not only is this a good safety precaution, it also helps keep cold air out. A locked window forms a tighter seal than just closing it does.
Ignoring drafts and leaks. The small cracks and gaps you may find around your windows and doors shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, they’re actually one of the biggest causes of heat loss in your home. Check all your doors, windows and exterior walls for drafts and have them sealed or caulked, especially in areas where warm air could potentially leak out.
If you want to have your HVAC system professionally checked, Richardson Air Systems will get the job done right. Call our heating and air conditioning contractors today at (609) 484-1090 or fill out our convenient form online.