The energy bill is one of the most critical house expenses, and it mostly consists of heating. When a furnace is not properly maintained, the energy bill can shoot through the roof. Here are five tips of boosting the performance of the furnace and reducing this expense.
1. Save Energy with Curtains
Strategically using your curtains can help to ease your monthly energy bill. Be sure to close them at night to prevent heat from being lost to the cold exterior. Opening them during the day on the west- or south-facing windows lets in the warm sunshine that heats your home. Try keeping them closed on the north windows that you might have, even during the day. This will avoid overuse of your furnace, and save you energy. For further information, Climate Experts has many resources available on their website.
2. Clear the Area around the Furnace
Furnace installation is mostly done in the basement, where people love to keep their things. It is very significant to clear a three to five foot area around the furnace from any stored items. This is a safety measure since furnaces produce burning gases. Additionally, it aids the furnace to operate smoother since there is free circulation of air.
3. Ensure Open Registers that are Free of Debris
So as to be highly efficient, a furnace requires free circulation of air inside the house. Therefore, you need to ascertain that no register has trapped dust and dirt in the cover and there is no furniture blocking it. Be keen when buying decorative registers. This is because they can make your house look amazing but limit up to 50 percent of the air flow.
4. Set up a Programmable Thermostat
There are many Canadians who still don’t use programmable thermostats. It is beneficial to accompany furnace installation with a set-up of a programmable thermostat. The cost of investment can be regained within a year since they critically minimize your energy bill. It helps in scheduling your furnace so that the temperatures are low when you are asleep or away from the house.
5. Clean the Filter
The function of the furnace filter is the prevention of hair and dust from clogging the furnace. However, after the filter has been intact for some time, it gets filled with debris. The furnace then has to over-perform to pass the air via the densely packed filter, hence stressing the furnace. The frequency of changing the filter is dependent on numerous factors, including the frequency of house cleaning, the presence of pets, and recent renovations. An ideal rule of thumb is checking the filter every month for debris. In case you see dust and hair on the surface, get a new filter or wash it if it’s reusable.
If you want to keep your energy bill on the low, improving the performance of your furnace should be a priority. These five tips will be essential to this goal.
