Easy Ways to Keep Your Heating System Efficient This Season
As a homeowner, you are tasked with many things to keep your home running smoothly. When it comes to your comfort systems, there are simple steps that you can take that will boost your home’s energy efficiency, as well as keep your system from unnecessary strain.
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be committed to doing a little preventative maintenance and the changing of the seasons is an excellent time to do it.
1 – Leaving All of the Vents Open
If you spend most of your time in a few specific areas in your home, you may be well served to make sure that the air is directed there. There is no need to unnecessarily heat unused rooms, for instance. It’s about concentrating the warm air flow to the necessary areas of the home.
As you are doing this, keep a few things in mind. Don’t shut too many. Don’t shut vents in areas where there is a thermostat, as it may read the temperature incorrectly and kick into overdrive.
2 – Neglecting Your Air Filters
You need to change your air filters regularly. Depending on your system, you should probably change them monthly. Some filters don’t need to be changed monthly, but should as a minimum be inspected for damage and debris. Excess debris on the filter blocks airflow and deteriorates the air quality inside.
3 – Not Inspecting the Unit
One way to keep a small problem small? Catching it before it becomes big. Make a habit of checking out your system for weird sounds or leaks. These routine inspections are more diagnostic than you think, and can save you cash down the road.
4 – Leaving the Thermostat Unchanged
Rule of Thumb: When the temperature changes outside, so should your thermostat. In the fall months and leading into winter, you might be tempted to jack it up, but keeping it slightly cooler than you do in the summer means that your system won’t have to work as hard to heat indoors.
5 – Cluttered Condenser
Quality heating comes down to airflow. If you’ve got clutter crowded around your condenser, it stands in the way of efficiency. Don’t plant any trees or shrubs around it.
6 – Neglecting Your Ducts
As the season changes, make sure that your ducts are air tight. There is nothing more wasteful than having your system work hard to generate hot air, and then have it be directed elsewhere. Get leaks or cracks taken care of before the cold weather hits.
7 – Not Scheduling Regular Maintenance
While you can take care of many of these tasks yourself, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals for a thorough inspection and cleaning. This can help extend your system’s operating life and reduce potential repair costs down the road.
