We’re now in the season of peak heating costs, and as temperatures continue to dip, your furnace or boiler is only likely to get more use over the next couple of months. But just because you’re going to be using your heating unit more doesn’t mean your utility bills have to spike. Keep reading to learn how to operate your HVAC system safely and affordably this winter, courtesy of our comfort experts at All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical.
5 Ways to Ensure Your Heating System Runs Safely & Affordably During the Winter
- Don’t Leave the Heat On When You Are Gone for Long Periods of Time: While it is more efficient during the summer to let your air conditioner run for long periods of time, letting your heater run constantly can be costly and dangerous. Instead, you’re better off installing a modern, programmable thermostat, which will allow you to turn the heat up before you get home for the day. And because so many of today’s thermostats are wireless, you can customize and control them remotely from your computer, phone, or tablet.
- Avoid Raising Your Thermostat Too High: As we have already alluded to above, thermostat control is a key part of successful HVAC operation during the wintertime. You would naturally assume that when it starts to get really cold out, the best thing to do is to crank your thermostat up right away. However, this is not actually the case. It is better to keep your thermostat a little lower in the winter and a little higher in the summer, to help balance airflow and lower HVAC costs for your home. If your thermostat rises and falls repeatedly, you will have a harder time achieving an even temperature, and your house will likely stay colder overall. However, if you let your heater do its job, and keep your thermostat at a stable temperature, you will be comfortable and your bills will be affordable all season long.
- Lock Up Your Windows: As simple as it sounds, keeping your windows sealed and locked can save you a good chunk of money on heating costs this winter. Even when your windows are open a crack, air can escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to compensate. This can not only cause your system to overheat, which is dangerous, it will raise your heating bills, too. You should also weather-strip windows and doors and caulk up holes throughout your home to ensure you lose as little warm air as possible.
- Make Sure to Turn Off Your Exhaust Fans: This step is tricky, because it is deceptively easy to forget. It’s true that the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen are extremely important for removing odors, reducing moisture and mold growth, achieving proper ventilation, and generally strengthening indoor air quality. And yet anytime you flush old air out of your home, you are letting out heat, too. While you can and should still run your exhaust fans the normal amount during the wintertime, make sure you turn them off when you leave the room or are done using them, since it is a waste of heat to leave them on for long periods of time.
- Don’t Hesitate to Call a Technician: The bottom line when it comes to successful HVAC operation is that it is always better to call a professional sooner rather than later. If you suspect there is a problem with your heating system, or if it just hasn’t received proper maintenance in awhile, our technicians at All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical are here to help. We offer emergency heater repairs for furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps. We also offer a number of installation options, in case you need to upgrade your system. Day or night, you can count on All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical to get the job done right, so do not hesitate to call us ASAP.
For 24/7 emergency assistance, dial (909) 500-8193, or contact us anytime online.