Heating energy prices can result in an expensive winter for you and your family. As winter sets in, the bill payer in your household turns the heat down. The minute you turn your back, another family member promptly turns it back up. You look at them in their shorts and tank top and shake your head in disgust. And so on until the thermostat wars get to be too much to deal with.
The result: a one-two punch of exasperating fuel bills and chilly family dinners. Nobody likes taking a shower or bath in the cold bathrooms either. Fortunately, there are some ways you can remedy this problem for your household before another winter takes hold of Westchester. If you take note of some good advice from our heating experts at Premier Comfort Heating & Cooling, you should be able to put a cap on the heating bill this year.
Furnace or Boiler Maintenance
A heating tune up should be done just prior to the Westchester cold season. That’s just about now. If your furnace or boiler hasn’t been serviced this year, it won’t run as efficiently. It will also not last as long as it should if the heating maintenance isn’t done regularly. It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to think everything is fine when the heating equipment is actually laboring. Let a service technician like ours take care of your annual heating tune up today. This is just one way you can quit wasting energy in your home.
- Check for gas leaks
- Clean burner assembly
- Inspect fan motor & blades
- Inspect the compressor
- Inspect the ignition system
- Check the heat exchanger
- Test the thermostat
- Check & test for air leaks
- Test & check system controls
- Change filters
- Lubricate parts
- Measure voltage and current
- Tighten connections
- Inspect for missing insulation and loose duct connections
- Clean & inspect evaporator coil, drain pan, and condensate line
Install A New Thermostat
One problem that is very common but rarely recognized by a homeowner is a malfunctioning thermostat. A thermostat can cause a significant hike in your energy bill if it is not calibrated or isn’t functioning properly. If your thermostat is older than 5 years old, you may want to upgrade it to a new model.
Today’s thermostats have functions that allow you to lock the controls up tight. They also come in models that provide remote access and monitoring. If Joe or Susie come home after school and lower the setting, you can be alerted to the fact. Lock them out, monitor, and control it no matter where you are to put a once-and-for-all end the thermostat wars.
Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
If your heating system is eight years old or older replacing or upgrading your system can save you up to 50% on your heating bill. If you have an older system, it might operate with as little as 50% efficiency. That means half the fuel you put in gets wasted. Thanks to tech advances, new heating and cooling system commonly operate with 80% to 96% efficiency.
Have Your Heating System Inspected
Even if you have the most efficient furnace and air conditioner known to man, if the ducts that funnel that precious hot or cold air around your house are in bad shape, you’ll still lose way too much energy. Leaky ducts in your basement and attic are especially costly. Who wants to waste temperature-controlled air in parts of the house you rarely enter?
Get your heating and air conditioning system in Winchester inspected today to find leaks and other problems before another winter goes by. Premier Comfort Heating & Cooling can do a complete HVAC inspection and tune-up for your heating system today. Just give us a call or contact us via our online form and we’ll be glad to answer your questions.