Just Like You, Your Furnace Needs An Annual Checkup
The most obvious sign of a bad thermostat is that the HVAC system in your building won’t turn on or respond to the thermostat.
How to Make Sure Your HVAC Can Survive The Extreme Cold
Regardless of what time of the year it is, everyone should be replacing their furnace filter at least once a month to prevent the buildup of debris and make your furnace run harder than necessary.
Prioritize Long-term HVAC Care
Older HVAC systems use outdated technology that not only impacts your comfort but also your repair costs.
A New Modern Way To Heat Your Home
If you notice that one section of your house tends to be much hotter or cooler than the rest, you might be over-cooling parts of your home to make up for the difference.
How To Customize Your Furnace Care This Winter
A banging or rattling sound that continues after the system has been up and running for a bit could signal a problem that warrants further investigation.
Make Life Easier With A Programmable Thermostat
If your home isn’t outfitted with a programmable thermostat, you’re missing out on many key advantages that can make your life easier and more comfortable.
How To Give Your Furnace A Boost
Like your car or any other machine, your furnace is subject to wear and tear, and the less it gets the longer it will last. Using your furnace efficiently not only saves money on your monthly gas bill but also reduces wear and tear. If your furnace lasts longer, you won’t have to replace it as often. By following the tips below, you’ll save money twice!
None of these tips are hard, but just like getting exercise or flossing, the key thing is to do them.
1. Make Sure the Filter is Clean
The purpose of the furnace filter is to prevent dust and hair from clogging your furnace. But after the filter has been in place for a while, it gets full of debris. Your furnace then has to work harder to pull air through the densely packed filter, which places extra stress on the furnace.
How often you need to change the filter depends on a variety of things. How often you clean, whether or not you have pets, and recent renovations can all make a difference. A good rule of thumb is to check the filter monthly for debris. If you can see hair and dust on the surface, then replace the filter or wash it if it’s the reusable kind.
2. Use a Programmable Thermostat
It’s still amazing how many Americans still don’t have a programmable thermostat. They are one of the best ways of reducing your monthly gas bill, and they often pay for themselves in one year. They also reduce wear and tear on your furnace.
A simple 5-day/2-day programmable thermostat is not expensive, and it will allow you to set up a schedule for weekdays and weekends that will lower the temperature when you’re away from home or sleeping.
3. Make Sure all Registers are Open and Free of Debris
In order to work efficiently a furnace needs to be able to freely circulate air around your home. Make sure none of your registers are blocked by furniture or have trapped dust in the cover. Be careful when purchasing decorative registers they look great but can restrict as much as 50% of the airflow.
4. Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clear
Most furnaces are kept in the basement, where we also love to store extra belongings. It’s really important to keep a three to the five-foot area around your furnace completely clear of stored items. This is a safety issue because there is burning gas in the furnace. But it also helps the furnace run smoother because air can circulate freely.
5. Curtains are a Great Way to Save Energy
Strategically using your curtains can make a noticeable difference in your energy bill. By closing them at night, you can prevent heat loss in the cold outdoors.
Opening them in the day on the south or west-facing windows allows warm sunshine to enter and heat the inside of your home, just like with a car left in a parking lot. On any north windows, try to keep them closed, even during the day.
6. Get Regular Furnace Tune-Ups
Make sure you have your furnace inspected and tuned up every year to ensure it’s running at peak efficiency. One faulty part can place strain on the rest of the system and can lead to sudden breakdowns.
7. Use Ceiling Fans
It may sound odd to use a fan in the winter, but they can help even out the overall warmth of your air. Heat naturally rises, and tends to collect near the ceiling. Running your ceiling fan on low to push the hot air down to the floor works especially well in rooms with vaulted ceilings.
8. Bake More in the Winter Months
Give your furnace a break by using the oven more. It will heat the entire kitchen area and may help heat your entire ground floor. There are other benefits too: not only will you feel better with a nice home-cooked meal, but your house will also smell great.
9. Decorative Insulation
Carpeting and area rugs on floors help insulate against drafts. They also feel great underfoot, help with soundproofing, and make us feel warmer because they’re so cozy looking.
10. Keep a Good Humidity Level
Most people notice that the air in our homes tends to be really dry in winter. It’s not only drying on skin and throats, but it can make us feel colder than we really are. Using a humidifier to bring your humidity level up to about 40% will help transfer heat better. You can lower the setting on the thermostat and not notice it. More humidity is also better for wood floors and furniture and can help prevent asthma and allergy attacks.
11. Make Sure your Garage Door is Sealed
The garage is one of the biggest culprits of energy loss in the modern home. Make sure the garage door is touching all the way down and there aren’t any drafts around the sides are top.
By following these tips, you’ll keep your furnace running smoothly all winter long. You’ll also stay cozy and warm for less money.
Green Apple Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the New Jersey area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priorities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs call today toll-free at 888-611-7191
A New Home Thermostat Can Be Incredibly Versatile
In the colder months, a winter thermostat setting of 68 °F should be comfortable for you, your children, and your pets when you are at home and awake.
“A Stitch In Time Saves Nine”
Regular maintenance helps your system produce and distribute the warm or cool air more evenly and steadily.
Heat And Cool Your Home By Zones
Programming zones in your home gives you the flexibility to maintain a comfortable temperature in the spaces that are occupied while keeping the spaces that tend to stay unoccupied at a moderate temperature.