During the Mineral, VA, winter, it can be tempting to have your heater running all throughout the day and night. After all, your comfort is important. However, relying so heavily on your heating system will use up quite a bit of energy, which can cause your monthly utility bills to skyrocket. Fortunately, you don’t need to choose between being comfortable and keeping your bills manageable. Here, we’ll cover a few of the things you can do to improve your heating efficiency this winter without sacrificing your comfort.
1. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up
Schedule professional heating maintenance is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your furnace this winter. At Air Nerds, we offer comprehensive furnace tune-ups performed by licensed HVAC professionals. During this service, our technicians will thoroughly inspect your furnace and identify any ways that they can optimize its performance and efficiency. They’ll also look for anything that may be hampering its ability to do its job.
Heating maintenance is an investment in the efficiency, comfort, and overall functionality of your home. Ideally, you’ll want to schedule this service at least once a year, and the start of the winter is typically the best time to have it done.
2. Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
If your furnace’s air filter becomes dirty or clogged, it will have a major impact on the system’s energy efficiency. As the filter traps airborne contaminants over time, it will gradually run out of open space for additional particles. This will make it more difficult for the appliance to pull air through, which will negatively affect its efficiency and overall performance. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this. Depending on what type of air filter your furnace uses, you should replace it once every one to three months. Doing so will not only reduce your monthly heating costs, but it will also improve your indoor air quality and extend the life expectancy of your furnace.
3. Seal Air Leaks in Your Home
When was the last time you searched your house for air leaks? If it has been multiple years, then there’s a good chance that new leaks have developed. These gaps, which are usually found around the edges of doorways and windows, can allow large amounts of heat to escape the house during the chilly winter months. In addition to making your living space colder, this forces your furnace to work much harder. As a result, the system ends up needing to use significantly more energy to do its job, which will be noticeable when your bill arrives.
The beginning of the winter is a great time to check all your home’s doors and windows for leaks. Remember that even a tiny leak can be problematic. If you find any gaps or cracks, you should be able to seal them up with weather stripping and caulking from your local hardware store.
4. Have Your Ducts Cleaned
The health and cleanliness of your air ducts can be major factors in the energy efficiency and performance of your heating system. When your heater circulates air, it moves through your home’s ductwork to reach different parts of the house. However, many contaminants tend to accumulate inside air ducts over time, including dust, dirt, mold, pet dander, and pest droppings. If you go too long without scheduling duct cleaning, this can start to cause a variety of issues in your home, including worsening heating efficiency.
At Air Nerds, we offer thorough duct cleaning services in Mineral and the surrounding area. Our ductwork experts will clear out your air ducts and inspect them for any damage or leaks. This will allow your heating system to circulate warmth more efficiently, and it will also improve the odor and indoor air quality of your home.
Heating Experts You Can Trust in Mineral
We at Air Nerds are a family-owned and operated business boasting over 65 years of experience. For as long as we’ve been a part of the community, we’ve been proudly offering top-tier heating and cooling services. Whether you need expert maintenance, repairs, or installation, our skilled HVAC technicians will be up to the task. We also offer additional quality services, such as duct cleaning, indoor air quality solutions, and smart thermostat installation.
If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, give us a call at Air Nerds today!
