When the Oak Harbor, WA winter arrives, the chilly weather can necessitate frequent use of your household heating system. However, if you keep the heater running all day and night, it will not only wear out the appliance, but it will also cost you a ton of money on wasted energy. This can make you feel like you have to choose between keeping your home comfortable and keeping your bills under control. Here, we’ll take a look at a few useful tips for staying warm while also conserving energy and saving money.
1. Schedule a Heating Tune-Up
The more energy-efficient your household heating system is, the less money you’ll need to spend on electricity this winter. One extremely effective way to improve the efficiency of your furnace or heat pump is to schedule a professional tune-up. During one of these maintenance visits, local HVAC technicians will come out to your house and thoroughly inspect your heating system. They’ll check for any problems with the appliance, including any components that may need to be repaired or replaced. They’ll also take several steps to improve the unit’s overall performance and efficiency, which will help you save quite a bit of money throughout the winter. For households in the greater Oak Harbor area, we at Island Heating & Air Conditioning offer comprehensive heating tune-ups for a reasonable price.
2. Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
You may not think about your household air ducts much, but they actually play a major role in the efficiency of your home. Whenever you turn on your heater, it has to push warm air through the ductwork to reach the different areas of your living space. Over time, though, these ducts tend to become packed with dust, dirt, debris, and various other contaminants. This can cause several problems, including worsened air quality, unpleasant odors, and worsened heater efficiency. To prevent these issues and keep your household running efficiently, you should schedule professional duct cleaning every couple of years.
3. Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
If your household uses a furnace, it’s important to regularly switch out its air filter. When the appliance is running, the air it circulates has to continually pass through the filter. The filter has the important role of trapping airborne contaminants to keep them out of the furnace and prevent them from being transported around your house. However, over time, your furnace air filter will become dirty or even clogged, making it difficult for the heating system to pull air through. If you want to keep your heater running as smoothly and efficiently as possible this winter, you should switch out its dirty air filter for a new, clean one and continue to do so every few months.
4. Locate and Seal Household Air Leaks
Believe it or not, there could be multiple air leaks around your home without you even realizing it. These openings, which tend to form around the edges of doorways and windows, don’t have to be large to have a negative impact on your household. When you have the heater cranked up, warm air will regularly escape through any present air leaks. This forces your heating unit to work much harder and run for longer, which leads to wasted energy and negatively impacts your home comfort. To prevent these issues, it’s wise to periodically inspect your home for any air leaks. If you find any, you should be able to seal them with caulking and weatherstripping from your local hardware store.
5. Clean Your Air Vents
After your heating system has pushed warm air through your household ductwork, that air exits through the different air vents around the living space. However, much like the ducts, your air vents can accumulate random debris and contaminants over time. If enough of these particles accumulate, they can create a blockage that hampers the airflow of your heating system, leading to worsened efficiency and heating performance. Fortunately, household air vents are usually easy to clean. Every few months, simply open the vent covers with a screwdriver and use a vacuum cleaner extension hose to clean the interior. This should help to keep your heater operating efficiently while also improving your indoor air quality.
Your Local Oak Harbor Heating Experts
Since 1982, we at Island Heating & Air Conditioning have been providing quality home comfort services to the greater Oak Harbor area. We offer a variety of high-quality services, including heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality, and ductwork. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians take great pride in providing superior customer service and top-tier workmanship on every project they take on. Contact us at Island Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more or schedule an appointment with our team!
Tags: HVACTags: Heating
November 14, 2023 6:46 pm
