Fall is here and with the cooler temperatures comes warm apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, and fuzzy socks! There’s no better way to get into the spirit of fall than by going on an autumn hike or staying in to create some fun DIYs your whole family can enjoy, but with winter fast approaching, it’s important to make sure you’re heating your home as efficiently as possible.
Avoid unnecessarily high heating bills by kicking these 3 bad heating habits to the curb this season:
Closing Vents in Your Home
Closing your vents may seem like a good way to redirect your home’s heat from less used room to busier areas of your home, but all it really does is to create more strain on your system as it tries to force air past the blocked vents.
Forgetting to Change the Air Filter
Changing your air filter every 30 to 90 days is the most cost-efficient and easy way that you can save money on your heating bills and prevent costly repairs to your heating system. A dirty air filter can be clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris that will block the air that’s attempting to flow through the filter. This makes your system have to work twice as hard to push the air through the filter, which puts unnecessary strain on your furnace.
The general rule of thumb for changing your air filter is to switch out or clean your filter once per 1 to 3 months—if you have pets that shed a lot, live in a larger home, or rely on your HVAC heavily during the winter, you may need to change your air filter more frequently to keep your indoor air fresh.
Ignoring Furnace Warning Signs
Annual maintenance is important for every heating system so you’re sure that all the components are in good, working order for the winter months--however, all heating systems get old and require a replacement after 10-15 years of use. Keep an eye out for these signs that indicate it’s time for a replacement:
Uneven temperatures throughout your home
Strange noises
Frequent repairs
High energy bills
A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical is standing by and ready to help you bring comfort back to your home. Contact our team online or by phone at (503) 694-3396 to schedule your annual maintenance or learn about furnace replacement.