If you’re like most homeowners, one of the things you dread is the cost that comes with heating your home. We all know that the price of fuel oil and other utilities has increased, which is why it’s so important to make sure your home comfort system is operating both efficiently and effectively. Your heating equipment has many moving parts, and much like your vehicle requires regular maintenance in order to operate properly.
As such, the best possible action you can take is to ensure that your heating system receives annual maintenance. Getting maintenance on a regular basis from a professional technician can help keep your heating system running smoothly. Your technician will make sure that all the parts are in good working order, that your system is cleaned and lubricated, and any small problems are taken care of before they become larger and more expensive ones. That being said, there are a few measures you can take as a homeowner that can benefit your heating system, too.
5 Ways You Can Help Your Heating System Operate More Effectively
While getting maintenance for your heating system is vitally important, you as a homeowner can also take some measures to keep your system operating at its best and most efficient this winter, and for years to come. Below are five easy ways to help it along:
- Keep the cold air outside where it belongs. That means applying weatherstripping to drafty windows and doors, using heavier drapes, and making sure your home has the proper levels of insulation throughout. Making sure your home is sealed well against the outdoor elements can help you keep the heat inside – and save your heating system from having to work harder than it needs to.
- Install a programmable thermostat. If you have an older thermostat, it might not be working properly or to your advantage. Programmable thermostats allow you to set the temperature in your home based on when you’re home, away, or asleep. And, many homeowners are opting to install smart thermostats that can be accessed remotely via an online application.
- Consider a home humidifier. In the winter, the air inside your home can become dry, and not hold the heat as well. When you have proper humidity levels in your home, it will feel warmer, and provide additional benefits (such as keeping your skin healthier, preventing nasal and throat dryness, and keeping wooden furniture and fixtures in better shape.)
- Change your heating system filter regularly. During the winter months, your heating system likely will operate frequently. That means a lot of air will be moving through your system, as well as more dust and dirt. Your filter’s job is to trap those particles and keep them out of the air in your home. But if the filter becomes clogged, your heating system will have to work much harder.
- Check your registers. Like filters, dust and dirt can build up in your registers, too. That’s why it’s important to keep them clean. Wipe the exteriors of your registers down with a damp cloth regularly and vacuum them out on occasion as well. That will help your heating system work more efficiently and will keep the air in your home fresher and cleaner, too.
Stafford Mechanical Services, Inc. can help meet your heating needs.
You can trust Stafford Mechanical to help you get the heating services you need, from annual maintenance, to repair, to system replacement. We’re pleased to provide our customers with expert service, as well as high-quality Carrier® heating products. No matter what your need might be, you can count on us to keep you and your family warm all winter long. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with us, please give us a call at (860)684-9485, and we’ll be happy to help.