Winter is here and with it brings chilly homes, high heating costs, and leaving people to wonder if there are any money-saving steps they could take. The key to improved home comfort (and more money in your pocket) is understanding common heating mistakes you might be making and how to fix them.
1. Heating too Quickly
Cranking the thermostat up all the way won’t get a house to heat faster, yet many give into temptation and dial the thermostat all the way, hoping it will relieve the chill quickly. Unfortunately, that’s not how a thermostat works. Thermostats control the temperature but not the speed of heating. If you crank the thermostat up to 80, you are more than likely overheating, overspending, and unnecessarily overworking your system.
2. Overworking the Thermostat
If your thermostat never reaches the temperature you want, you can’t force it. A better solution is to have the heating system inspected. There may be a system issue that a proper tune-up could solve. While we recommend homeowners schedule a tune-up before winter, routine maintenance can be handled at any time, so it’s important to reach out to professionals if you start noticing any problems with your home reaching the ideal temperature.
3. Heating an Empty Home
Do you leave the heat on a low temperature all the time? Most people think that it’s more efficient to let the unit run throughout the day. However, the opposite is true. Never pay to heat an empty home. It is recommended to turn down the heat when you leave, then turn it up to a comfortable temperature when you’re home.
A programmable thermostat can help homeowners automate heating around their schedules. Smart thermostats that are connected to wifi also help homeowners have better control over their comfort. The thermostat learns your living habits and makes adjustments automatically. It can also be controlled by a mobile phone while you are away from home.
4. Not Sealing Cracks Around Doors and Windows
Heating a house that isn’t properly sealed is like throwing money away. With cracks in your windows and doors, you’re letting all of the hot air escape. Be sure to use weatherstrips and/or seal all visible cracks to retain more of the warm air which will, in turn, keep your home’s heating system more efficient and save you money.
At A/C Designs, we are passionate about providing our customers with the resources they need to enjoy total home comfort protection. Our certified technicians are available to address any heating concerns and provide you with solutions that match your lifestyle needs and budget. For quality heating repair, replacement, or maintenance service in the Jacksonville area, contact us.