As the winter season approaches this holiday season, you may feel like the furnace in your home never stops running. Did you know there are common mistakes many homeowners make when it comes to heating their home? Who knew there were so many common faux pas to home heating? Parry Custom Homes, a premier Pittsburgh on your lot builder, shares the top five heating mistakes you might be making in your home that can be costing you more money than you realize.
First, be sure not to abuse your thermostat. If you come in from outdoors and you’re chilled and want to warm up fast, the key is not to crank up your thermostat. In fact, no matter how high your temperature is set on your furnace, the heat isn’t going to come out any faster or warm you up any quicker. So, keep your heat at it’s normally temperature and just warm up with an extra blanket or sweatshirt until your body catches up!
Second, don’t let your windows leak! If a drafty window is left alone it can consume up to 30 percent of your home’s energy usage! If you have older windows and feel like your energy bill is higher each year, this is the culprit. Check your windows by putting your hand around the perimeter of each window. If you can feel cold air seeping in, it means that your heat is leaking out! If locking your windows doesn’t stop the draft, seal the leaks with caulk along your window’s seal.
The next is to not leave your bathroom air exhaust fan on for too long. Leaving this fan on for too long will take the warm hair from inside and pump it outside. Not what you want in the middle of winter! The best use for your exhaust fans is best to use them after a steamy shower to prevent mold and mildew growth.
The fourth tip for your home (and commonly made) mistake many homeowners make, is closing vents in unused rooms. It may seem like a logical thing to do, but blocking heat access by closing vents is actually less efficient than heating unused rooms and won’t save you any money. To add to it, doing this can actually imbalance your home’s energy system which intern, strains your furnace and creates the cold room effect. The best rule of thumb is to leave vents and doors open and allow your homes HVAC system to circulate evenly.
Lastly, using a dirty air filter will be a major no-no you’ll want to correct. Dirty air filters reduce the airflow in your home, forcing your furnace to work harder. Plus, it creates more dust and increases the air pollution in your home. Check and replace your air filters on a regular basis so you can help the heat in your home run as efficiently as possible.
These simple tips will not only keep your home energy running efficiently but keep you warm no matter the time of year you need it!
Parry Custom Homes is an established homebuilder in the Pittsburgh area. Call or contact us today for more information about this floor plan option, or to view other homes in our portfolio that may suit your new home needs.