With the temps dropping, 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 taking place 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 we will share some of the most common reasons.
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – when hot air comes in to contact with cold glass on your windows, it impacts the indoor air by reducing some of the heat. An option to help minimize that impact is to make sure you’re closing your drapes during the evening hours and make sure that your windows are receiving light during the day before opening them.
- Lack of attic insulation – with older homes there’s a chance 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 lead to the need for a furnace repair. It’s not hard to determine if you have enough insulation, take a look and see if the insulation is below or even with 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 decide whether weather stripping is needed take care of those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps can make your furnace work harder, making the possibility of furnace repair later even greater.
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 703-260-1148.