As the temps continue to get cooler, the last thing you should have anxiety over is maintaining 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, things don’t work that way, and there are a few things that could be happening in your home that could end up with you scheduling furnace repair or a higher than normal energy bill.
There are a number of causes for an increase in your energy bill, but we are highlighting a few of the more common ones we encounter.
- 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, the indoor air becomes cooler. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, make sure that you close your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows receiving light during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation – if you live in an older home there’s a chance 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 may eventually lead to the need for a furnace repair. 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, it’s likely your attic needs some additional insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – it’s not always easy to tell by just taking a quick look if there are large gaps. Take a closer look at all of your windows and doors to decide whether you need to add weather stripping to take care of those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps can make your furnace 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 925-233-6238.