Cold House Heating Tips: Stay Warm and Keep Your House Warm
Posted on December 29th, 2015 by Devine Bros
One of the most common complaints among homeowners during the winter months is that their house is always cold. They can crank up the thermostat all they want, but their home’s actual temperature will never reach their desired level. Nobody wants to pay hundreds of dollars every month to feel cold and uncomfortable, so it’s time to fix the problem.
If your house is always cold, here are six potential reasons why:
1. You have drafty spots letting in cold air.
Do you notice a cool breeze when you sit in front of the window or walk past your front door? Air drafts such as these promote heat loss, leading to higher energy bills and cold spots in your house. Seal up your home’s drafty areas with weatherstripping or a caulking gun.
2. You are blocking your vents, affecting warm air flow.
Whether your home’s heating system utilizes air vents, baseboard heaters, or upright radiators, you need to keep these areas clear. When vents are blocked by furniture or drapery, not only are you creating a fire hazard, but you are also preventing heat from spreading to the rest of your home.
3. Your home isn’t sufficiently insulated for your HVAC system to work efficiently.
Insulation helps improve your energy-efficiency all year long by slowing the rate at which heat is exchanged between your home and the outdoors. The more insulation you have, the slower your home loses heated or cooled air to the outside. Equip your floors, ceilings, walls, basement, and attic with insulation of the proper R-Value to help keep your house warm during the winter.
4. Your humidity levels are too low for a space heater to work effectively.
Everyone knows what happens when the humidity level gets too high – picture breathing outside on a muggy summer day. But humidity levels can also get too low; something that frequently happens in homes during the colder months. Moist air feels warmer than dry air, so keep your home at about 45% humidity to warm up without cranking the heat.
5. Your furnace has a dirty air filter, affecting your HVAC system.
Experts estimate that up to 80% of all furnace problems arise as from the result of a dirty air filter. These filters should be cleaned or replaced every month in order to improve air flow and energy-efficiency; refer to your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your unit.
6. You have an old, inefficient heating system unable to maintain warm air.
The average lifespan of a residential heating system is approximately 20 years. As these systems age, they lose energy efficiency and their ability to create heat altogether. If the heating system in your home is old enough buy a drink, it might be time to think about replacing it.
Residents of Norwalk, Connecticut and the rest of Fairfield County have depended on Devine Bros. to keep warm for 100 winters. From furnace repairs and installations to heating oil delivery, we do it all! Give us a call for a free quote at (203) 866-4421.