We may not get the frigid temperatures here in Lawrenceville that other parts of the country gets, but given how hot and muggy our summers get, our winters can certainly seem pretty chilly! As a result, we’re always grateful for the use of effective and efficient heating systems. But is yours working as efficiently as it could be?
The first step in ensuring that it is, in fact, performing efficiently is scheduling maintenance. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time! We advise that you have this service done by a professional Lawrenceville, GA HVAC contractor once a year for your heater. We typically recommend this service be done in the fall, before you need the system the most, but that matters less than having it done consistently. Maintenance isn’t the only way to improve the efficiency of your heater, though! Keep reading for some more tips.
Get the Right Heater, in the Right Size
It’s vital that you get the right heater for your home. While the standard furnace is an amazing choice for most homes, you may benefit more from the zoned heating of a ductless system—especially if you have a multi-level home.
Size also matters. As you’d expect, if your heater is too small for your home then it will not be able to keep up with the demand and heat your home effectively. Conversely, if it is too large for your home, it will go through a process called short-cycling. Short-cycling is when the heater turns on and off rapidly, never going through a full heating cycle. This wears down on your heater and shortens the lifespan of the system considerably.
Change the Air Filter
This may seem minor, but it’s actually pretty important! There’s a common misconception that the air filter that comes standard with your heating system is there to protect your indoor air quality. While it doesn’t hurt your indoor air quality, that’s actually not its intended purpose. The air filter is in place to protect the interior components of the heater itself from dirt, dust, and other debris.
It stands to reason then, if the air filter becomes too clogged, the system will suffer. What happens is that airflow is restricted, and your system has to work harder to try to do its job. It expends more energy than necessary and likely leaves you turning the thermostat up, since you’ll probably suspect it’s just not warm enough in the room or home. Unfortunately, this is simply a waste of energy. Depending on the type of air filter you have and the level of contaminants in your home (things like pet dander and cigarette smoke build up more debris, faster), you should be changing out your air filter every 1-3 months.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fans!
We get it, you probably think this is a summertime tip. And, it is. But a fan on its own doesn’t cool down a room. It just moves air. When used in combination with your air conditioner, it helps evenly distribute cooled air more effectively. This helps you feel cooler, and as a result you can turn your thermostat down a couple degrees. This means you’re using less energy as your AC can shut down sooner, thus saving you money.
This same concept can be applied in the winter. There is a switch located just above the blades of your ceiling fan. This switch reverses the direction of the fan blades and helps your forced air heater better distribute heated air.
Contact Wall Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today for trusted HVAC services.