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 even concerned with the cold temps. Of course, it may not be that easy, and there are a few things 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 an increase in your energy bill, but we are highlighting a few of the more common ones we encounter.
- 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, that air loses some of its heat. An option to help minimize that impact is to make sure you’re closing your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows receiving light during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation – with older homes there’s a likelihood 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 might eventually harm your furnace. 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, it’s likely your attic needs some additional 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. Take a closer look at all of your windows and doors to establish whether it requires weather stripping to take care of those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps can require your heating system 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 505-445-1250.