With the colder weather settling in, the last thing you want to have to worry about is sustaining a comfortable home. In an ideal world, you would be able to relax in a warm home and not even concerned with the cold temps. Of course, it typically doesn’t happen that way, and there are a few items that could be happening in your home that may require furnace repair or an unnecessary increase in your utility costs.
There are several causes for a rise in your energy expenses, but these are three of the more common ones we typically hear about at.
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – when the warm air in your home reaches windows that are cold from the outdoor air, the indoor air becomes cooler. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, make sure you’ve closed your drapes during the evening hours and make sure that your windows are receiving light during the day before opening them.
- Lack of attic insulation – with older homes there’s a chance that it doesn’t have enough insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, causing your heating system to work harder than necessary, and could eventually result in furnace repair. You can easily check if you have enough insulation by looking in your attic to see if the insulation is below or even with the joists. When the insulation is even or below the joists, you likely need more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – as you are taking a look to see if there are any gaps around your doors or windows, keep in mind that they aren’t always easy to notice. Take a closer look at all of your windows and doors to establish whether weather stripping is needed take care of those gaps. As we mentioned with attic insulation, window and door gaps can require your heating system to work harder, potentially upping the chance that you’ll need furnace repair.
These are just a few tips to help you determine any potential problem areas in your house that could cause heat loss. If you have any questions about furnaces, furnace repair or other ways to combat heat-loss, give us a call at 208-578-4258.