Are you wondering why despite your efforts to minimize energy use, you still have extremely high heating bills? Keep reading because we’re about to give you five of the most common reasons why you’re spending more on heating than you should.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your leading heating company in Brooklyn Center MN. We help homeowners maintain their furnaces and make sure they are as energy-efficient as possible.
Poor Insulation
The quality of your home’s insulation has a direct effect on your energy consumption. If you have an older home, it’s best to look into improving your insulation. It’s easy for an older home to lose heated air through the doors, windows, or any opening in your inner and outer walls. To boost your home’s energy efficiency, it’s best to have a professional perform an energy audit. Having proper insulation reduces your heating costs by as much as 40 percent per year.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s zip code insulation program will guide you to how much insulation you should add and where to achieve the recommended insulation levels for optimum energy efficiency.
Ductwork Leaks
If you have central heating, the health of your duct network can also influence your home’s energy use. Leaks, cracks, or any kind of damage within the ductwork can let out heated air, which adds up to your monthly costs. If you’re comfortable inspecting your air ducts, you can access them from the basement or attic. Determine if there are any leaks in the ducts and seal them off as needed.
For best results, have a professional deal with the problem. Some areas where your ductwork lies can be difficult to reach. You will need more than just patience to pull this off. You have to possess the right knowledge, have the right tools, and experience to make sure the job is properly done.
An Inefficient Furnace
Another reason why you have skyrocketing heating bills is an aging heating system. Furnaces typically run anywhere from 10-15 years before they’re considered outdated. This aging causes the system to have more frequent breakdowns and more energy to provide the same heat level.
The only fix for this issue really is to upgrade to a new, more efficient unit. While getting a newer model includes an upfront cost, doing so will give you benefits that go beyond energy savings. You will also enjoy inhaling cleaner, safer indoor air, a more quiet system, and the assurance of a better-performing heating unit.
A Dirty Filter
This one is an absolute no-brainer. Your furnace’s air filter is responsible for keeping foreign objects from entering the system. Over time, it gets clogged, and causes the unit to suffocate. When this happens, the system struggles to perform its task, causing you to crank up the thermostat to feel the heat. Unfortunately, doing so uses more energy.
When ignored, a dirty filter can cause more serious problems, including a broken heat exchanger, which is a part that is designed to help you save energy. To avoid these issues, simply change or clean your air filter at least once per month. Your user’s manual should tell you whether you have a replaceable or a disposable filter.
Thermostat Issues
Determining the balance between the right temperature and avoiding high heating bills is not easy, especially if you have an old, outdated thermostat. If the thermostat in your home is ten years old or more, you may want to consider replacing it with a programmable unit. These new, high tech thermostats learn your heating and cooling preferences so that you won’t always be turning up the heat or turning it down. They will automatically adjust the temperature depending on your liking, saving you money in the process.
You may save even more money if you switch to a smart thermostat that allows you to control the temperature in your home from anywhere remotely. Such a device uses WI-Fi technology to manage your indoor climate in the most energy-efficient ways wirelessly. While investing in a smart thermostat is an added $200 or so, it will yield dividends for you in terms of energy savings in the long run.
Increase Your Furnace’s Energy Efficiency
To avoid paying too much on heating, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. Our heating experts will calibrate your system and make sure it uses as less energy as possible. We are your reliable New Hope heating and air conditioning maintenance company.