With the temps dropping, the last thing you should have anxiety over is maintaining a comfortable home. In an ideal world, you would be able to relax in a warm 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 taking place in your home that may require furnace repair or an unnecessary increase in your utility costs.
There are several causes for higher utility bills, but we will share some of the most common reasons.
- 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, the indoor air becomes cooler. 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 – if your home is older, there’s a chance that it doesn’t have enough insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, which in-turn makes your furnace work harder, and may eventually harm your furnace. You can easily check if you have enough insulation by looking in your attic to see if the insulation is below or even with the joists. If that’s the case, you’ll likely want to add some more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – it’s not always easy to tell by just taking a quick look if there are large gaps. Make sure to take a close look at all of your windows and doors to establish whether you need to add weather stripping to take care of those gaps. Similar to attic insulation, window and door gaps can force your furnace to work harder, increasing the chance of furnace repair down the line.
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 530-885-8081.