Heating Tips for 2014

It’s amazing how fast 2013 went, and like it or not the year is nearing an end. With the year ending and a new fresh year beginning, there isn’t a better time to discuss ways to keep your home warm without breaking the bank this winter. To some people this means replacing an old, inefficient furnace, electric heating system, or boiler. But replacing your unit isn’t the only way to save on your heating costs this season. Here are some tips to help you save while keeping your home comfortable this winter.

• No matter what the age of your current heating system is, the most important and beneficial thing you can do is to have an annual planned maintenance performed on your unit. A tune-up and cleaning of your gas furnace, boiler, or heat pump can help to ensure your system is functioning properly and safely. If you have a gas furnace or boiler, your Expert Technician will also be able to test for leaks or cracks in your unit to avoid carbon monoxide leaks in your home.
• Cleaning or replacing the filter in your heating system on a regular schedule is also an affordable and easy way to keep your heating system running efficiently.
• Check your thermostat out. What type of thermostat does your home have? If it looks like the one to the right you might want to consider replacing it with a newer, updated programmable thermostat. The programmable thermostats that are out now allow you to program temperatures for when you are at work, when you are arriving home, and for when you typically are asleep. This will keep your heating schedule automatic and will regulate the temperature of your home on its own.

  Recently some of the newer thermostats even allow for access to control the temperature of your home while at work or from your tablet or smartphone! Talk to your Expert Technician about the ability to control your thermostat from your mobile device.

• Don’t forget about the sun! Let some sunshine in during the day. After all it’s free, so let as much natural light into your home as possible. The more you let the sun heat your home during the day, the more you can save on your gas or utility bills.
• Check your insulation and make sure the areas around your windows and doors aren’t allowing the cold air in or the hot air out. By eliminating drafts around your windows and doors you are keeping more warm air inside your home and reducing the amount of energy or fuel needed to keep your home warm.

There are many ways to improve the efficiency of your homes heating system, including the ones we just covered in this article, but the best way to understand how your heating system is performing and which steps are best for you to take to improve your efficiency is to talk to one of our Expert Heating Technicians. Call us TODAY at 717.254.4555 to discuss your options for heating efficiently in your home.