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Where would we be without the invention of fire? Well, no doubt right where we are today because sooner or later, someone else would have figured it out.
Still, can you imagine what that experience must have been like for our relatives from the distant past? A new way to prepare food. Great visibility at night. And something to help keep them warm.
Fast forward to now, and we have plenty of ways to keep warm, but none better than your home furnace. It’s a great feeling, one that can be soured by a system breakdown or a heart-stopping utility bill – the one that catches you completely by surprise.
The good news is, it’s not like you have to sit back and concede to higher heating bills. You can something about it. In fact, you can do a lot about it, and that includes heeding the following cost-saving measures.
Replace older thermostats with programmable models, especially if your home is unoccupied for long periods of time each day. That way, you can save while the house is empty but pre-set your thermostats to welcome you with a nice warm greeting upon your return.
Add one or more comfort zones so you can control which areas are warm and comfy and which need considerably less heat, at least temporarily. Each zone will have its own thermostat and, if they’re programmable models, you’ll have even greater control over indoor comfort and utility bill savings.
Keep window treatments open during the day to let the sun’s warming rays help heat your home and thus making you a little less reliant on your furnace. At night, close the shades or drapes to retain the added heat gained earlier in the day.
Can you stand lowering the thermostat by a few degrees while in your home, even if it means dressing a little warmer? It might be tough getting used to, but you’ll thank yourself when the next heating bill arrives.
Inspect all doors and windows. If you can feel cold air coming in, you have one or more air leaks that are raising your heating costs. If now’s not a great time to replace windows, for example, repair or redo the window caulking and do the same for the weather stripping around entrance doors.
When was the last time you looked at your attic insulation? If there are gaps and other areas of bare wood, warm air is climbing into your attic and out through the roof while you continue to pay too much to heat your living spaces. Hire a professional to repair or replace your insulation.
At GBT Heating & Cooling, we can help, too, by cleaning and inspecting your furnace once a year. It’s a low-cost service that provides big-time benefits including reduced heating costs, fewer system repairs, longer equipment life, and improved comfort. Has it been a year of longer since your last furnace inspection? If so, contact GBT today and we’ll get the job done.