When the weather is chilly, it’s nice to stay inside the house, lie down, and enjoy the comfort of the warm temperature from the heater. After using the AC for the hot summer months, it’s the furnace’s time to shine. You rely heavily on it for relief, especially when it’s freezing outside. However, did you know that there might be things you are doing with your heater you did not know are costing you money?
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Having Drafts At Home
The gaps in your home, even if small, could cause warm air to go out, so your furnace takes longer to reach a comfortable temperature inside the house. Since it consumes more energy to heat the place, expect an increase in your power bill. To prevent that from happening, check for drafts in your home and seal them. You’ll usually find them on windows and doors.
Not Changing The Air Filters
Air filters block dirt, dust, and debris, preventing them from reaching parts of the heating system and stopping them from circulating back into the air. However, you should also replace these air filters at least every three months. If you have reusable filters, clean them every couple of weeks. But if you see any damage, furnace repair Aurora IL companies recommend replacing them. If the air filter is damaged or dirty, the system must work hard to warm the space, costing you more money. Also, if the dirt gets into the system’s moving parts, it could damage them, leading to a costly repair or replacement.
Not Having Your System Serviced
You don’t need to wait for something bad to happen to your heating system before you get professional service. Regular maintenance is needed to keep it in top condition. It can also help detect problems in their early stage, so you can fix them right away before they worsen. You should get at least a yearly maintenance service for your HVAC system. If not, your system may not work efficiently, contributing to your high electric bill.
Setting The Temperature Too High
Some homeowners set the temperature too high, especially when coming from the outside, thinking that it will make the space warm quicker. This is a mistake because that’s not how it works. The time it takes for the temperature to go up one degree is the same regardless of what temperature you set. Since you set it at a higher temperature, it will take longer to achieve that, which means more power consumption. So instead, set it to the temperature that’s normally comfortable for you.
Using A Space Heater
A space heater is designed to heat a room. So, if you are using it more often to heat your entire place, it could significantly increase your power bill. Moreover, it could indicate a problem with your heating system as it cannot heat the space properly. Therefore, it’s best to have it checked by an expert.
Keep your furnace properly maintained and seal drafts at home to avoid unnecessary power consumption that could cost you more.