With the weather getting colder you will require more heat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This does not mean your heating bill needs to skyrocket. As a responsible homeowner you will be looking over your monthly bills to stay within budget. If you notice your bills rising without any substantial change from the previous winter, it could be a result of a few factors including a faulty furnace. Below we discuss what can lead to high utility bills and what you can do to lower them while still staying warm in your home.
Inefficient Furnace
Your furnace must be inspected on a routine basis. Routine maintenance helps ensure your furnace operates properly and efficiently. An efficient furnace will help keep your heating bills low. Furthermore, routine maintenance helps the system reach its full lifespan of at least 10-15 years, with some as many as 25 years. Maintenance can also help minimize the severity and cost of repairs, by catching issues early on before they become catastrophic. When you have your furnace inspected it is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. A trained professional HVAC technician will be able to spot any potential hazards that may endanger the inhabitants of your home by catching any existing or developing issues that could lead to carbon monoxide in your home. They will also be able to see if there is any debris or dust buildup that could not only have a negative impact on your system, but your indoor air quality as well.
Poor Insulation
If you live in an older home or there is lack of insulation in attic and walls, you could be losing heat through leaky windows and doors which could also lead to higher than usual heating bills. If you notice the furnace is running long periods of time without your home getting any warmer, it could be a sign of poor insulation. You may need to add weather stripping around doors and upgrade your windows, as well as checking the condition of the insulation in your attic. This will help lower the costs of heating and cooling your home and help keep you comfortable year-round.
Leaky Ductwork
Leaks in the ductwork could also increase your monthly heating bills. Contact a professional like LA Construction, Heating and Air to inspect your ductwork and check for any leaks and fix the problem. It is important to remember that leaky ductwork could not only increase your bills, but it impacts your indoor air quality and could clog air filters and damage the HVAC system.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats can negatively impact the heating needs in your home. Try turning your thermostat down between 8 to 10° F for an 8-hour period which could save you 5% to 10% on your heating costs. Modern programmable and smart thermostats make temperature adjustments easy and manageable even when you are not at home. This way you can program it to only run when you are at home.
Furnace Beyond Repair
While it may be costly to replace a furnace, if you have a furnace past its lifetime with a costly repair it may be time to consider furnace replacement instead. You could replace your furnace with one that has 80 or 96 efficiency which could save you up to 20% on energy. We can help you determine whether it would be better to repair or if it is time for a new furnace now. Not only will a new furnace be more energy efficient, but less fuel used means it will also be more environmentally friendlier than older models.
Contact LA Construction, Heating and Air
If you have been experiencing unusually high energy bills, give us a call today at 818-341-3406. One of our knowledgeable technicians can come to your home and check out your furnace. Remember also that routine maintenance also keeps your furnace compliant with your warranty. Most warranties will require proof of service before they pay out on a claim. For more information on our furnace maintenance, repair or replacement give us a call or contact us online, we would be more than happy to help!
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