The winter months can bring unexpected temperatures that can test the mettle of your home heating system. As a homeowner, it only makes sense to want to get the most out of your heating system despite these conditions. Read on as Cafco Services shares some tips on how to optimize your heating system for the season.
Replace Your Air Filters Regularly
Air filters help maintain indoor air quality by capturing dust, pollen, and other indoor air pollutants. They get filled to capacity every three months or so, even faster during seasons of peak heating use. Periodically checking your air filters and replacing them when needed can help improve efficiency and airflow, consequently reducing the workload on your heating system and prolonging its service life.
Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
If you’re still using an old analog thermostat, a programmable one can give you more control over parameters like different settings for different times of the day. If your household keeps a regular daily routine, then a programmable thermostat can help you save on oil, fuel, or electricity by optimizing heating output when you need it. The most basic programmable thermostat can be set for one 24-hour cycle, while some models can hold a week’s cycle, some with two different “weekend” settings.
Address Air Leaks and Insulation Issues
You won’t get the best performance out of your heating system if your space is not properly optimized against thermal transfer, which is the cause of heat loss during the winter season. Poor insulation and air leaks allow heat to escape indoor spaces, which makes the heating system work longer to compensate. This results in a greater workload on the heating system and higher utility bills. Having an insulation professional address insulation issues, as well as upgrading to energy-efficient doors and windows can do wonders not just for your heating system, but also for your home’s overall comfort.
Use Your Ceiling Fan
Many people tend to use their ceiling fans during the cooling season, and often in place of the air conditioner. However, you can actually get more heating by using your ceiling fan together with your HVAC system. Since warm air rises and tends to settle at the ceiling, your ceiling fan, spinning in a clockwise direction, can push warm air toward the floor. The opposite applies during the cooling season: cool air tends to settle near the floor, so a ceiling fan spinning in a counterclockwise direction can pull cool air from the floor.
Having issues with your HVAC system? Give our team at Cafco Services a call at (513) 242-3400. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.