improving your attic ventilation

Posted on: 19 August 2019

Many homeowners dread wintertime because of one simple thing: the higher energy bills. While it is necessary to crank up the heat so that you and your plumbing don't freeze, you also don't want to have to pay an arm and a leg to keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the winter season. Luckily, there are things that you can do to help minimize the energy that you use during the winter without sacrificing your comfort. Keep reading to learn more.

Be Strategic When Setting Your Thermostat

Just before leaving for work and going to bed at night, turn down the temperature in the house. In doing so, you are ensuring that your heating system doesn't work hard at keeping your home warm when it isn't truly necessary. During the day, you aren't home, which means the house doesn't need to stay overly warm. At nighttime, you are covered up with blankets, and if you get cold, you can always add more blankets on top.

Use Ceiling Fans to Circulate Warm Air

Don't assume your ceiling fans are only beneficial to you during the summertime. Since warm air rises, you can use your ceiling fans to direct all that warm air back down and circulate it throughout the rooms. However, to prevent unnecessary drafts and pulling up any cool air that is lingering near the floor, run the fans at a low speed and in a clockwise direction.

Take the Time to Remove Blockages

It is important that you keep a close eye on your baseboards or air vents to ensure there are never any obstructions preventing heat from entering into the rooms of your home. If these vents are blocked or get closed, the warm air will continue to try to push through and the heating system will work harder to try heat your home.

Schedule Heating System Maintenance and Service

Throughout the winter months, your heating system will be working its hardest, so it makes sense to have a residential heating professional service the system and all of its components prior to the weather turning too cold. By checking the system for necessary repairs, lubricating the system's moving parts, and simply making sure everything is in proper working order, the heating professional can improve the efficiency of your heating system, which will help it use less energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

If you would like to learn more about saving money this winter with your heating system, get in touch with a professional heating system maintenance service near you.