How You Can Help Minimize the Heat Leaving Your Home

As the temps continue to get cooler, the last thing you need to be concerned about is keeping 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 typically doesn’t happen that way, and there are a few items that could be happening in your home that may require furnace repair or a higher than normal energy bill.

There are a number of causes for a rise in your energy expenses, but we are highlighting a few of the more common ones we encounter.

1. Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – when the warm air in your home reaches windows that are cold from the outdoor air, it impacts the indoor air by reducing some of the heat. One way to help reduce the loss of heat 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.
2. Lack of attic insulation – if your home is older, there’s a likelihood 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 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 it is, you likely need more insulation.
3. 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. Similar to attic insulation, window and door gaps can force your furnace to work harder, increasing the chance of furnace repair down the line.

These are just a few tips to help you determine any potential problem areas in your house that could cause heat loss. If you’d like to speak with our professionals about your furnace or indoor comfort, give us a call at 641-812-2028.