All winter long, you depend on your furnace to keep you warm and toasty. When something goes awry, though, you may realize you’ve been taking your furnace for granted. It’s important to be aware of how you’re using your furnace and treat it as an investment, taking care of it so it can take care of you. How can you keep from overworking your furnace?
- Turn your thermostat down when you leave. This is one of the best ways to lower your heating costs and keep your furnace running efficiently. Install a programmable thermostat to make it easier.
- Keep the cold air outside. Find and eliminate drafts in your home, being careful to seal leaks and fix weatherstripping. Consider installing storm windows, plastic panels, or heavy window dressings to prevent heat from escaping through your glass panes.
- Avoid cranking up the thermostat. It’s natural to want to turn the thermostat up a few degrees when you’re feeling chilly, but that doesn’t make the house heat up any more quickly. Set the thermostat to the desired temperature and be patient as the house warms.
- Keep the vents clear. Make sure none of your furniture is blocking your vents and impeding the flow of air. If you can’t see a way around it, talk to an HVAC professional to see if closing a vent or two will negatively impact your furnace.
- Change your filter. This is a simple task that makes a world of difference. Not only does it improve the quality of your home’s air, but a clean filter doesn’t work the furnace as hard either.
- Tend to your ductwork. The ductwork in unconditioned parts of your home, like your crawl space or garage, tend to lose heat because of air leaks or conduction. Sealing and insulating them can make a big difference in the function of your furnace.
- Up your insulation. Have a professional inspect your attic and exterior walls to make sure your home has adequate insulation. Proper insulation prevents heat from transferring through the walls and ceilings, raising the efficiency of your furnace in the winter and your air conditioner in the summer.
- Don’t cheap out on your furnace. When it comes time to replace the furnace, don’t just go for the least expensive option. Do your homework and make an investment in a system that will serve you well for many years.
- Have an energy audit. Having a contractor come out and assess your home’s energy efficiency will save money, and when your home is more energy efficient, your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
- Schedule annual maintenance. Having your furnace inspected and maintained each year means small problems are caught before they become major issues, and your furnace runs as efficiently as possible.
Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling provides furnace maintenance and repair, as well as heating installation, to keep you warm all winter. Since 1980, Hoover has been serving customers in Southeast Michigan, offering courteous, professional service. Because we offer all the services you need for residential maintenance under one roof, we’re able to offer extremely competitive pricing while maintaining great customer service and guaranteed satisfaction. When you’re looking for top-quality electrical, plumbing, heating, or cooling services in Clinton Township, contact Hoover through our website or call 586-232-9204 today.
