Do your energy bills continue to rise even as you attempt to heat your home efficiently? You might be going about it all wrong. Learn the top seven mistakes homeowners make when heating their homes in the winter so you can avoid them.
- Cranking the temperature way up: When you’re chilly, it’s tempting to set the temperature to 80 degrees. But the thermostat acts like a light switch, not a gas pedal, so cranking up the temperature doesn’t heat your home any faster; it only wastes energy. Try adjusting the setting by one or two degrees and put on an extra layer to help you warm up.
- Closing too many vents: It’s a common misconception that closing air vents in unused rooms saves energy. However, your furnace is sized to heat the entire house. Closing too many vents throws off the balance of supply and return air, increasing wear and tear on the system. To avoid this, keep at least 80 percent of your supply registers open, and make sure all return vents are unobstructed.
- Leaving the exhaust fans running: While it’s important to vent polluted kitchen and bathroom air to the exterior, keeping the exhaust vents running all day is wasteful. Aim to leave them on for no more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Keeping the curtains closed all day: You’re missing out on free solar heat if you fall for this home heating mistake. Take advantage of sunny winter days by throwing the curtains open on your south- and west-facing windows. Then, close the curtains again at night for an added layer of window insulation.
- Using multiple space heaters in place of central heating: This do-it-yourself zoning technique may not be as efficient as you think. After all, central gas furnaces cost much less to operate than electric space heaters. Only use this technique if you spend all day in one room while the rest of the house is vacant.
- Keeping the temperature the same 24/7: There’s no need to heat an empty house, so remember to set the temperature back by 8 to 10 degrees when you leave for the day. If you want to return to a comfortable home without wasting energy, consider installing a programmable thermostat so you can set it and forget it.
- Neglecting furnace maintenance: Replacing the air filter is a critical part of heating maintenance. Do this every 30 to 90 days or as recommended by the manufacturer. Then, schedule maintenance visits from an HVAC contractor once a year.
Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers heating services to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long. Whether you need furnace installation, maintenance, or repair, we’ve got you covered. Our customers have turned to us for quality HVAC products and unbeatable customer service since 1979. To schedule an appointment, please call 801-877-2184 if you live in Utah County, or reach us at 801-877-2536 if you’re a Salt Lake County resident. You can also contact us online with any questions you have.
