You may still be enjoying the warm summer weather, but winter will be here before you know it. When it finally arrives, you'll want to start using your heater. If you're like most people, you'll also want to find ways to make your heater more energy efficient. That's actually not as hard as it might seem. In fact, with just a few adjustments, you can stay warm all winter long, and keep your heater working efficiently. Here are three of the adjustments you should be making as soon as winter arrives.
Don't Cut Preventative Maintenance
When it comes to staying warm this winter, don't cut the preventative maintenance for your heater. You might think that eliminating the preventative maintenance is a good way to save money, but it might actually end up costing you more in the long run. That's because a dirty furnace is less energy efficient than a clean one.
Not only that, but a furnace that hasn't been tuned up prior to winter, is more likely to break down half way through the season. If that happens, you'll be looking at costly furnace repairs, and you'll be without your heater when you need it the most. Make sure you keep warm this winter by scheduling the preventative maintenance.
Adjust Yourselves and Not the Thermostat
When it starts getting cold outside, it's natural to want to turn the thermostat up a few notches. Unfortunately, that's not going to necessarily keep you any warmer. In fact, cranking your thermostat up as high as it will go could lead to some serious breakdowns. Not to mention the fact that your heating bill will go through the roof. Instead of adjusting your thermostat, adjust the way you approach the cold.
As soon as cold weather arrives, turn your thermostat to about 68 degrees, and dress in layers – even in the house. By leaving the thermostat set to 68 degrees, your body will adjust to the cold, and you won't need to waste energy or elevate your heating bill.
Change the Way You Think About Your Filter
When it comes to your furnace filter, you need to change the way you think about it. If you're like most, you change your filter about once every three to four months.
However, that's not the best way to care for your furnace, especially if you live somewhere that experiences wind storms throughout the year. To make sure your furnace is able to keep up with the demand, adjust your filter replacement schedule to once a month instead of once every three or four months.
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