Heating your home in winter is crucial for your health. However, it does not solely depend on your furnace to create a safe and warm indoor environment. Using the whole-house approach is the way to go. It can increase indoor comfort in winter and improve your heating system’s energy efficiency.
Here are 4 ways you can bundle up your home to support your heating system:
Table of Contents
Stop The Drafts
Experts say between 5 and 30 percent of your home’s energy use goes to waste if you have drafts in your home. When the cold air is allowed to sneak into your home, your furnace will be forced to work harder, which could lead to high heating costs in winter. To answer the problem, find the sources of air leaks in your home and get them fixed right away. You will know if there are any drafts in a room if it feels colder than the rest of the house.
You can use weatherstripping to reduce drafts in your home. The United States Department of Energy recommends choosing a type of weatherstripping that can withstand the friction, weather, temperature changes, and wear and tear associated with its location.
Close your Curtains
Closing your curtains can make a big difference in your indoor temperature during winter. Curtains serve as another layer of insulation that helps prevent heat loss. Remember to use insulated curtains or ones made of heavy material. You may also create your own drapes from old bedsheets.
During a sunny winter day, open the windows to let the sunlight and warmth in. Windows in rooms that don’t get much sunlight should remain closed.
Use Area Rugs
Do not forget to add area rugs to your winter home decor. Aside from bringing color and texture to a room, rugs also add a layer of insulation. If you have tile floors, you know how cold they can get in winter. By putting down area rugs, you no longer have to walk on a freezing cold floor.
Cover Up Walls
Covering up walls offers the same benefit as putting down area rugs on the floor—added room insulation. Pay attention to the exterior facing walls that usually lets the heat out and cold in. Thick tapestries and bookcases are good wall insulators. They help absorb cold radiating from the wall before it reaches you.
Hire a Pro to Evaluate Your Home Heating System
Your furnace provides your home a steady supply of heat during the cold winter months. Thus, you have to make sure it stays free from any component issues. To help you decide whether you should get a new heater installation or not, talk to a licensed HVAC contractor. Experts at C.Woods Company strongly suggest calling a heating professional when your heater is shutting on and off and takes too long to heat. These are telltale signs of a heater failure, which could require a replacement.
DIY heater installations and repairs are very risky to do. To preserve your investments, hire a professional to handle the job for you. Call your trusted HVAC contractors today!