As the temps continue to get cooler, the last thing you want to have to worry about is keeping a comfortable home. In an ideal world, you would be able to relax in a warm home and not even concerned with the cold temps. Of course, it may not be that easy, and there are a few items that could be happening in your home that might result in a need for furnace repair or an unnecessary increase in your utility costs.
There are a variety 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 – the glass on your windows are cold from the outdoor temps and when the warm air makes contact, it impacts the indoor air by reducing some of the heat. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, make sure you’re closing 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 – if your home is older, there’s a likelihood that there is insufficient insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, causing your heating system to work harder than necessary, and could 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. When the insulation is even or below the joists, you likely need 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. Be sure to thoroughly look at all of your windows and doors to establish whether you need to add weather stripping to take care of those gaps. As we mentioned with attic insulation, window and door gaps can make your furnace work harder, potentially upping the chance that you’ll need furnace repair.
We hope these three tips can help you identify any problem-spaces in your home that could be inhibiting the comfort of your home. Our experts are available to answer any of your questions about furnaces, repair or indoor comfort, give us a call at 541-238-2797.