Winter heating in South Carolina can be costly even with our relatively mild climate, as the temperatures still occasionally dip very low. The more you run your furnace, the more energy you use, which costs you money on your utility bills. However, there are some simple steps you can take to lower the burden on your furnace, including several professional services that help keep your system efficient. Read on to learn more about these tips and techniques.
Efficiency Tips to Utilize
Lowering the demands of your furnace and increasing efficiency is best done through professional services from skilled technicians. There are a few things you can do while you wait for your scheduled service to stay comfortable at home.
Windows
Windows should be closed tightly while the furnace is on. Seal off drafty windows that may let in a cold breeze. Utilize your window coverings for added efficiency. Open the shades during the day when the sunlight is shining directly on them to help warm your room.
Doors
Doors are another common source of heat loss. Try to limit the times you open and close doors throughout the day. If you must go out, open and close the door as quickly as possible to keep heat from escaping the house. Use your garage door to enter and exit, if possible, as your garage provides a shield from the bitter cold and wind.
Extra Layers
Utilize extra layers to keep your body warm. Put on a heavy sweater and warm socks when you relax at home. Rather than increasing the setting on your thermostat, cuddle up under a warm blanket and stay warm. Use flannel sheets and heated blankets for extra warmth in bed, and you can keep the temperature lower in your house without feeling the chill.
Ceiling Fans
Your ceiling fans are great for a cool breeze during the summer but can also be useful in the winter. Change the direction that your ceiling fan rotates so that it is moving in a clockwise direction. This creates an updraft, pushing warm air closer to the ceiling back into your living space. Circulating this warm air helps create a more even temperature throughout the room and home.
Air Filters
Air filters block dust from getting near the interior components of your heating system. If your filters are clogged, the air cannot get through as easily. This can cause your furnace to struggle with heating your home. Change your air filters once every 30 to 90 days, or more frequently if you suffer from allergies or live in a heavily polluted area. Clean filters promote greater efficiency, lowering your heating costs.
Hiring a Professional for Services
Although these tips are great ways to save money on winter heating costs, there are times that you’ll need professional service from our team to see a significant difference in utility costs.
Annual Maintenance
Annual furnace maintenance keeps your system in optimal condition for greater efficiency. Our technicians will inspect your system and find worn or damaged parts that can cause a system to struggle. We also clean the interior components of your furnace, wiping away dust and dirt that can slow system efficiency and cause system strain. Annual maintenance can help reduce unexpected breakdowns and extend the life of your system. You may even notice improved indoor air quality and cleaner surfaces around your home.
Duct Cleaning
Dirty ducts don’t allow conditioned air to travel as easily to the vents that are situated throughout your home. If the air cannot travel through unobstructed ducts, the furnace must work harder to keep your home at an ideal temperature. Duct cleaning should be scheduled every three to five years. The process can be done more frequently for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Duct Repair and Replacement
Air ducts may corrode over time, leading to small holes and cracks that let warm air escape before it reaches the vents. If you have damage to your ducts, you’ll need duct repair or replacement to help keep the conditioned air inside them until it reaches the appropriate destination. For older ducts that have extensive damage, it may be wise to opt for total replacement. Insulating air ducts can be beneficial as well. Insulating the ducts helps prevent the cold air outside the ducts from cooling the warm air inside before it reaches registers and vents.
Programmable Thermostat
Using a programmable thermostat lets you set a schedule and forget about making changes. You can program your thermostat so that the temperature drops while the house is empty or while you sleep. The programmable function lets you choose a time to raise the temperature back up to an ideal setting just before arriving home or waking in the morning. You can still feel comfortable without waiting for the house to heat back up. This allows you to cut heating costs when a higher temperature isn’t necessary but still maintain comfort when you are home and awake.
New Furnace
Your furnace loses efficiency with age. This is caused by wear and tear on the parts and components inside the heating system. Over time, they must work harder and harder to create heat, using more and more energy. If you’ve had your furnace for more than 10 years and your heating costs are rising, it may be time to purchase a new, more energy-efficient furnace that can lower your monthly bills. Some even qualify you for rebates and credits to offset the upfront cost.
Heat Pump Use
Heat pumps help cut utility costs by utilizing warm air from the ground to help heat your home. These pumps utilize heat from the earth to promote a comfortable temperature in your home. Heat pumps are more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than traditional furnaces and are safer than gas furnaces.
Zoning System
With zoning systems, you can control the climate in different areas of the house using separate thermostats. Dampers inside the air ducts open and close in response to the changes on each thermostat. This helps you heat some rooms more than others so that you can enjoy comfort in your main living spaces without the added expense of heating rooms you don’t use or occupy as often.
Your Local Heating Specialists
At Viper Services, we offer all the services you need to keep your home warm and cozy without breaking the bank when the utility bill arrives. Let us handle all your heating services as well as cooling repairs, installations, and replacements when you need an upgrade. Our HVAC maintenance service also keeps your system healthy. In addition to home climate, we also offer skilled plumbing services and professional electrical work. Our plumbers tackle all your household plumbing needs, including pipe repair, drain cleaning, and sewer repair. Our licensed electricians are available for repair and installation of outlets and switches, indoor and outdoor lighting, and electrical upgrades and repairs.
Don’t compromise comfort due to soaring heating costs this winter. Keep your Taylors, SC, home warm and cozy without spending excessive amounts of money on your utility bills by scheduling your essential heating services with the top technicians in town by calling Viper Services today.
