Furnace Tips

The holiday season is almost here, and while that may be a good thing for most of us, it also means that you’ll be spending a lot more time indoors to escape the colder weather. With the cost of utilities in St. Louis on the rise, simply keeping the heat on might seem too much for the average household. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to lower your heating bills this winter without feeling like you’re going to freeze. Here are five tips to keep in mind that will be helpful.

1. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up During the Fall

Ideally, you should schedule at least one tune-up for your heating system every year. It’s best to schedule this in the fall before you need to turn on your heat. Not only will this ensure that your system is working at peak efficiency, but it might also uncover issues that can be fixed before they cause any serious problems later on.

The actual steps of an HVAC tune-up will depend on the type of system you have, but it typically involves the following tasks:

  • Tightening electrical connections
  • Lubricating all moving parts
  • Testing the blower motor
  • Inspecting the heat exchanger
  • Testing safety controls and switches
  • Calibrating the thermostat

It’s always best to schedule this tune-up during the fall, even when your heating system seems to be working properly. Make sure to call soon to set this appointment up if you haven’t done so already.

2. Install a Smart Thermostat

A “smart” thermostat is a thermostat that can connect to your Wi-Fi. The most basic smart thermostats can be controlled or programmed using a smartphone app, while a more advanced model can learn your heating and cooling schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly on its own. In any case, installing one in your home can help lower your energy bills by approximately 8% and give you a more comfortable home throughout the year.

If you don’t want to spend money on a smart thermostat or aren’t comfortable connecting your thermostat to your Wi-Fi, you should at least install a programmable thermostat. You won’t be able to control it with a smartphone app, but it will still lower your energy bills and make adjusting your home’s temperature that much easier.

3. Program Your Thermostat for the Winter

Whether you install a state-of-the-art smart thermostat or a simpler programmable model, you still need to know how to set the temperature for the winter. It may be tempting to turn up the heat several degrees whenever you feel cold, but that will only leave you with a ridiculously high heating bill. It will also give you a house that will feel too warm.

To find the optimal thermostat setting for the winter, start by setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. That might seem cool to some people, but it will leave your home feeling warmer than you might think, especially when you have a full household and proper insulation. You can turn up your thermostat if 68 degrees feels too cold, but don’t go higher than 72 degrees, as it will only be a waste of energy.

Once you’ve found your ideal temperature, program your thermostat to turn it to that setting while you’re at home. You can set it to lower the temperature by a few degrees while you’re away or when you’re asleep.

4. Find and Seal Air Leaks

Your home loses a lot of heat from poorly sealed windows and gaps in exterior walls. Your heating system can technically make up for this lost heat. But it needs to work harder to do so, which will increase your energy bills and shorten your HVAC system’s lifespan. To keep this from happening, look for drafts of cold air throughout your home.

Windows should be your top priority, but check gaps around plumbing fixtures and other installations, especially if they’re on exterior walls. Seal any gaps you find with some caulk, and apply weather stripping to windows to keep them from losing too much heat. Keep checking for any new gaps or drafts throughout the winter. New gaps may open if your house shifts and settles, and old gaps may open if any caulk you’ve applied has deteriorated.

5. Upgrade Your Insulation

Your home’s insulation does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to maintaining a consistent temperature. Simply put, insulation keeps warm air inside in the winter and outside in the summer. It’s usually installed in your attic, but it can also be within your walls or in your basement. Without it, your heating system will have to work much harder to maintain a consistent temperature, and that may not be enough to keep your home comfortable during an extremely cold winter.

Depending on the type you have in your home, your insulation could last anywhere from 15 to 100 years. If you haven’t upgraded your insulation in the last 20 years or so, consider having your insulation checked out, especially if your home has been feeling unusually cold or if your heating bills have been going up. Modern blown-in attic insulation can get installed very quickly and easily, and it should last for at least a few decades when it’s installed properly.

In any case, new insulation will make a huge difference in your home’s temperature. You will still likely have to turn on your heat on particularly cold days, but you won’t have to rely on it nearly as much in a well-insulated home. On some days, you may not even need to turn your heat on at all.

Call Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts for Your Heating Needs

Whether your heating system needs a tune-up or you’re looking to upgrade to a newer and more efficient system, Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts will be happy to assist you. We are a heating and cooling service that provides world-class service to homes in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding areas. In addition to servicing most furnace brands and models, we provide blown-in insulation services, air duct cleaning, indoor air quality services, and even water heater and plumbing services. We provide upfront pricing for all our goods and services, and we stock enough parts and equipment to complete 93% of all repairs at our first visit. We can also provide a free second opinion if you need one.

At Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts, we’re not happy until you’re happy. For more information about our HVAC services or to schedule service for your St. Louis home, call us today. We’re waiting to answer any questions you might have and provide the HVAC services you need.

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