When winter arrives, heating systems go into overdrive to keep indoor environments warm and comfortable. Before you switch your own heating system on, however, you should evaluate your furnace’s energy efficiency so that you don’t end up surprised by high utility bills. Our [company_ name] HVAC team offers excellent tactics to enjoy a warm winter without wasting energy. Everything from your thermostat settings to professional maintenance can significantly affect your comfort level. Here are the top ways to maintain heating efficiency during this cold season.
1. Seal the Chimney
If your home has a chimney, the first step would be to seal it, especially if you are not using coal or wood for heating. The chimney provides a large entrance for the cold outdoor air to mix with your heated indoor air. Since the hot air always rises, the warm air will quickly escape outside, resulting in a constant cold breeze in the room. If you have modern furnaces that don’t produce smoke or carbon monoxide, you may not need the chimney since no harmful gasses need to escape.
As long as the chimney remains open, your heating system will have to work hard to maintain your preferred room temperature. This can lead to increased energy consumption and eventually an overworked heating system. However, when you seal the chimney, you help your heating unit to work optimally and prevent loss of indoor warmth.
2. Schedule Professional Maintenance and Repair
As winter sets in, scheduling professional maintenance sessions for your heating system is a must-do. Even if you haven’t noticed any problems with your unit, you need an expert’s skills to tune up or fix any minor issues. This ensures that your heater will work optimally and you will not encounter significant breakdowns in the middle of winter.
If you notice a malfunction, call for repairs immediately. Getting timely repairs helps restore the system to its optimum capacity and avoids worsening your situation. Our technicians discourage DIY repairs since you may not correctly diagnose the problem or can even mishandle the unit, leading to more damage.
Some of the common signs that your heating unit requires professional assessment or repairs include the following:
- Uneven heating
- Temperature fluctuations
- Unusual noises
- Poor indoor air quality
- Skyrocketing energy bills
- Failure to start
- Short-cycling
- Water puddles around the unit
3. Reverse the Fan Blades
If you have a ceiling fan in Jacksonville, you must know the benefits it brings, especially on a scorching hot day. However, did you know you can use your fan to increase heat circulation? All you need to do is reverse the direction of the blades.
Normally, the blades move anticlockwise, thus causing the warm air to rise and the cool air to descend, thus cooling the room. However, when the blades move clockwise, they create an updraft that helps circulate the warm air faster. Therefore, your heating system will attain the desired room temperature more quickly, making you more comfortable. Keep the fan set on low to avoid the chilling effect of moving air.
4. Unblock the Air Path
You can also improve the airflow by unblocking the path of the heated air. The first way to do this is by changing your air filters. Air filters work by sieving particles in the air, thus improving your indoor air quality. However, they accumulate dust, dander, pet fur, and other debris over time and may become clogged, reducing the heated air supply in the rooms. Therefore, when we change the filter, the system will work better, and you will enjoy faster room warming. Our HVAC experts also check the ducts for tears and any blockages that may interfere with the airflow. This mostly happens during a maintenance appointment.
You should also check your registers to confirm that nothing creates a block on the outside. Remove any furniture or large items in front of the unit so the air can move freely. This may call for a furniture rearrangement so you can all enjoy better heating the entire season.
5. Seal the Doors and Windows
Heating efficiency also requires that there should not be any gaps that allow the heated air to escape. Spaces as little as cracks around the windows or doors can continually allow cold air into the home, thus cooling the areas. Therefore, you need to ensure that professionals seal those spaces so you will not lose the much-needed warmth.
Since you cannot avoid using your doors, you should keep them closed when you enter or leave the house. You should also invest in a door sweep for your exterior entrance. This fills the space between the bottom of the door and the floor, creating a perfect seal.
6. Turn Down the Thermostat
While you may want to turn the heat up to stay comfortable, keeping warm without straining your heating system is possible. We recommend turning the thermostat a few degrees lower, especially when sleeping or leaving the house. Every small change makes a significant difference in energy consumption. Invest in a programmable thermostat to avoid forgetting to change the settings. This modern version allows you to set the various temperatures for different times of the day. The heating system will automatically adjust to your pre-set temperature.
Nevertheless, you can also avoid setting the thermostat higher by dressing warmly even when indoors. Encourage everyone to wear at least a sweater and socks so you will not need to set the temperature too high. Eventually, your body will also adjust to the indoor environment, and you will reduce your utility bills.
7. Maximize Curtain Use
You can also use the sun to keep your home warm during winter. Open the blinds and curtains during the day to let in the sun’s rays so they can heat your rooms. This provides light but also reduces the work for the heating system. However, in the evening, you can use the curtains as a shield to prevent heat loss. Install heavy curtains that will provide an extra layer to maintain the absorbed heat indoors. It also reduces the air that might escape, especially if you have not sealed your windows.
8. Reduce the Use of Ventilator Fans
Many homeowners in Jacksonville use ventilator fans to remove the heated air in the kitchen after cooking or in the bathroom after a hot shower. This unit works efficiently by blowing away the moisture-laden air outdoors to keep the indoor environment cool. However, during winter, you need to minimize the usage of these fans since they bring in cold air, thus increasing the workload for your heating system. A few minutes of operating the fans can cause a considerable difference in your indoor temperature, thus causing your heating system to become inefficient.
Conclusion
At [company_ name], we prioritize indoor comfort and provide high-quality services to ensure you get the best. We have been in business for years and have extensive knowledge of heating, cooling, and indoor air quality matters. Our family-owned and operated company serves the people of Jacksonville with the best services for a comfortable indoor environment.
We guarantee upfront pricing, no hidden charges, and the best customer service with NATE-certified technicians. We value each of our customers and will deliver according to your desire and satisfaction. Talk to us today and watch the [company_ name] experts deliver HVAC excellence.
