The song goes, “I really can’t stay, baby, it’s cold outside,” not “it’s cold inside” because that’s how it should be. Your home should be warm and cozy in the winter – not cold and drafty.
If you always wake up with popsicle toes or can’t sit on the couch without a blanket, learn five ways to heat your home better below.
Use a Fireplace Plug
While many houses in our area are built with fireplaces, how often do you use them? Probably only a few days a year.
Yet, 24/7, you have a long tunnel-like opening leaking air into your house through the chimney – even if the flu is closed! Depending on how cold it is outside, this air leak could be costing you real dollars when it comes to heating costs.
What can you do about it? Well, you can install a fireplace plug. It’s just what it sounds like – a stopper that keeps cold air from coming into your home through your chimney.
Want extra credit? Install a fireplace plug and wire in a gas fireplace instead of using organic wood. They’re more efficient at heating and more cost-effective!
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Most people don’t know that ceiling fans have two settings. One that pushes air counterclockwise to cool down the room, and another that rotates clockwise to move warm air (which rises) down to keep you and your family warm.
To switch your fan’s direction, make sure it’s off, then get a sturdy chair and stand up under it. Look around the base of the fan for a switch. It should only have two settings. Switch it to clockwise and stop letting all that warm air you’re paying for get wasted at the top of the room!
Have a Professional Install Duct Booster Fans
If you have a forced-air heating system and want to boost its effectiveness without spending a ton of cash, call an HVAC company (like us) and ask about having duct booster fans installed.
These fans are easily installed inside your vents to direct air towards that always cold room, no matter what!
It’s a lot cheaper to fix the problem at the source by redirecting air than it is to keep turning up the heat in your home to no avail in that drafty room.
But on that note – it’s worth your time and money to have a home climate expert look into why that room is always so cold. Is there a leak you’ve never noticed? Does the window need replacing? Your HVAC tech can help diagnose the problem when they come to install your in-line duct booster fans.
Have Your Furnace Cleaned and Tuned Up
Did you know you should have your furnace checked by a professional twice a year? You should have it looked at once before summer starts and then again in late fall.
This regular maintenance will make sure your furnace lives a long, efficient life and help keep your utilities costs down all year.
As a bonus to a longer running furnace and saving money, having a professional tune-up and clean your furnace may cut down on that burnt-dust smell that happens when you first turn on the heat each winter.
And who wouldn’t want that?
Replace Your Air Filters
Did you know you’re supposed to change your home’s air filters every 90 days? Most of us only get around to switching them out once or twice a year.
Not only is it hard to remember when to change them out, but then you have to go through the hassle of remembering to buy the right one when you go to the store too.
Yet, having clean air filters will improve your family’s health and lower your utility bills, as your heated air won’t have to push through so much debris to get to you.
But there’s a solution to remembering when to change them! There are subscription companies that will ship you the right model air filter every 90 days or so, so all you have to do is open, switch, and toss!
Get Your Ducts Cleaned
On that same note, if you think your air filters look gross when you change them, then you won’t want to see what comes out of your ducts! Dust and debris can get caked on the ducts inside before it even makes it to the air filter itself.
And while you can help by frequently vacuuming around your duct covers (especially those on the floor), only a professional HVAC company has the equipment to deep clean the ducts inside your house.
To get started, call and ask about our residential duct cleaning services in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties.
Get a New Furnace
While no one wants to drop the money on a new furnace, sometimes your old one costs you so much with its inefficiency that you’re better off getting a new one. And there’s no better time than now to get one installed!
We’ll be happy to recommend a model to you and order it, then come and install it with our Unique HVAC guarantee. We believe in doing things right the first time, so you can wait even longer to replace your furnace next time.
Call our team or fill out our online form to start the process of getting a new furnace here.
How to Heat Your Home in Winter
While smaller things like air leaks from unseen drafts and fan directions matter, they won’t make nearly as much difference as having your furnace repaired or replaced.
If you know something isn’t working but aren’t sure what you need to be doing to better heat your home, give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you diagnose the problem.
Please get in contact with our Unique-ly helpful team today!