With colder than average temperatures, you’re probably spending more time indoors. To help you keep energy costs in check while maintaining home comfort, we’re sharing six of the most common home heating mistakes and how you can avoid making them.
1. Don’t Heat When No One Is Home
Are you regularly out of the house for more than a few hours at a time? Whether you’re at work, running errands, or away for the weekend, it doesn’t make sense to heat a home when no one is there. A programmable thermostat can help you regulate the temperature to your daily schedule. You can also program it to warm up the house before you return home or wake up in the morning. Making this one change can save you substantially on your monthly utility bill.
2.Don’t Leave Windows and Doors Open
Besides being a safety concern, open and unlocked windows let in cold air. If it’s cold enough to turn on the heat, first check to make sure windows are securely closed to prevent cold air from infiltrating your home and letting warm air escape.
3.Turn Off Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans are great for reducing moisture and unpleasant odors from your home. However, they also draw warm air out. So, make sure to turn off exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen once you’re finished using them.
4.Don’t Crank the Thermostat
Turning your thermostat to a temperature higher than you need doesn’t heat your home faster. You’ll only be running it longer than you need to, resulting in higher utility bills. In other words, only turn the thermostat to the temperature you want.
5. Layer Up
Wearing layers of clothing indoors, as well as outdoors, is actually one of the top ways to stay comfy during fall and winter. That’s because clothing traps heat close to your body, which helps you stay warm instead of having to crank up the thermostat. Next time you’re feeling chilly, put on a sweater or a hoodie.
6.Skipping Regular HVAC Maintenance
Your heat pump or furnace is a complex piece of equipment that requires regular upkeep to properly function. If you haven’t scheduled a tune up since spring, give Cool Blew a call today at 623-872-2900. A tune up of your heating unit includes identifying and addressing small issues before they become major problems, helps extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, and keeps your monthly utility costs down.
