With the temps dropping, the last thing you need to be concerned about is keeping a comfortable home. It would be great to be lounging around on the couch enjoying the cozy warmth of your home and not even concerned with the cold temps. Of course, things don’t work that way, and there are a few items that could be taking place in your home that could end up with you scheduling furnace repair or an unnecessary increase in your utility costs.
There are several causes for a rise in your energy expenses, but we are highlighting a few of the more common ones we encounter.
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – the glass on your windows are cold from the outdoor temps and when the warm air makes contact, it impacts the indoor air by reducing some of the heat. An option to help minimize that impact is to make sure you’re closing your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows receiving light during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation – if your home is older, there’s a likelihood that it doesn’t have enough insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, which in-turn makes your furnace work harder, and could eventually harm your furnace. When you go to check out your attic’s insulation, you’ll want to see if the insulation is even or below the joists. If that’s the case, it’s likely your attic needs some additional insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – as you are taking a look to see if there are any gaps around your doors or windows, keep in mind that they aren’t always easy to notice. Take a closer look at all of your windows and doors to establish whether weather stripping is needed take care of those gaps. Similar to attic insulation, window and door gaps can make your furnace work harder, potentially upping the chance that you’ll need furnace repair.
These are just a few tips to help you determine any potential problem areas in your house that could cause heat loss. If you have any questions about furnaces, furnace repair or other ways to combat heat-loss, give us a call at 703-278-2036.