Heating is expensive! Here in Michigan, chances are, it’s the largest chunk of your annual utility expenditure. You certainly can’t do without reliable heating in Lansing, MI, but you also don’t want to spend any more than you must to keep your home safe and warm. How can you cut your energy spending and still keep your family cozy? Here are 5 heating efficiency tips to help you out.
1: Schedule Heating Maintenance
There are many reasons to have professional maintenance done on your heating system each and every winter. It reduces the need for repairs, keeps the system functional for many years longer, ensures that it will remain under warranty, and helps your home stay evenly warm in the coming winter. But it will also maximize your efficiency!
A heating system’s efficiency drops by at least 5% each year. Dusty buildup, clogs that prevent good airflow, lack of lubrication, miscalibrated components, parts loosened by last year’s vibrations and more will force your system to use more energy. Cleaning, lubrication, and a thorough inspection to get all the parts in perfect working order will bring your efficiency back up.
2: Change Your Air Filter
Airflow is critical to heating system efficiency. If the air doesn’t move through the system, heat will build up inside, and the limit switch will be triggered to prevent overheating. This means the system will keep trying to start up over and over, and since the startup uses more energy than any other phase in the cycle, you can quickly double or triple your heating costs! The air filter should be changed every month while you’re using the system daily.
3: Use Your Ceiling Fans
First, make sure your ceiling fans are set to turn clockwise during the winter. Then turn them on at a low speed. This will help the heat to reach all the places where it’s needed, rather than simply pooling up by the ceiling where it’s not doing you much good! You may be able to turn your thermostat down a few degrees once the heat is evenly distributed.
4: Seal Drafts
Is there cold air getting in anywhere? A couple of hours with rope caulk or foam weather stripping can block drafts around windows and doorframes. If cold air gets in through a gap under your door, consider purchasing a door-bottom weather strip that fits on the door itself, or use a sand-filled “door snake” to block the chill. You want to keep all your heat inside!
5: Soak up the Sun
When it’s a sunny day, where does the sun hit at various points of the day? Make sure window shades, curtains, or blinds are open when there’s direct sun on a window. This will make use of the greenhouse effect and significantly warm your home. It’s also helpful to shut window coverings at night, especially if they are heavy or insulated.
Now that you’ve followed these five simple tips, you’ll be able to have efficient heating and keep your family warm without spending a fortune.
Contact A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling for heating services in Lansing, MI. Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.