With the temps dropping, the last thing you need to be concerned about is maintaining a comfortable home. Preferably, you would be spending the winter enjoying the comfort of your home and not thinking twice about what’s taking place outside. Of course, it may not be that easy, and there are a few items that could be happening in your home that could end up with you scheduling furnace repair or an unnecessary increase in your utility costs.
There are a number of causes for a rise in your energy expenses, but these are three of the more common ones we typically hear about at.
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – when the warm air in your home reaches windows that are cold from the outdoor air, that air loses some of its heat. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, make sure that you close your drapes during the evening hours and only open the drapes on windows that have light coming in during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation – with older homes there’s a chance that there is a lack of insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, which in-turn makes your furnace work harder, and may eventually result in furnace repair. When you go to check out your attic’s insulation, you’ll want to see if the insulation is even or below the joists. If it is, you’ll likely want to add some more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – as you are taking a look to see if there are any gaps around your doors or windows, keep in mind that they aren’t always easy to notice. Make sure to take a close look at all of your windows and doors to determine whether weather stripping is needed take care of those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps can require your heating system to work harder, potentially upping the chance that you’ll need furnace repair.
Hopefully, these tips help you determine any potential issues in your home that impacts your comfort. If you have any questions about furnaces, furnace repair or other ways to combat heat-loss, give us a call at 803-265-4208.