When the temperature starts to plummet, keeping your home warm can become a battle between comfort and cost. Learning how to help your furnace operate more efficiently is often the best way to keep winter utility bills down. Here are some do’s and don’ts you can implement around your home to stay warm without breaking the bank.

Do:

Dress warm.

If you run cold, dressing in layers at home is an essential step in relying less on your furnace to stay warm. Make socks and sweaters a regular part of your lounge wear. You should also put throw blankets out around your home, so when you get a chill, you can bundle up instead of raising the thermostat. 

Seal gaps and cracks.

In many homes, a lot of the heat from the furnace is lost to gaps around doors, windows, and damaged siding. If you can see light coming through the edges around your doors or feel a draft blowing through your windows, apply caulk and weather strips around these points. Caulk any cracks you notice in the siding outside of your home as well. 

Don’t:

Leave the thermostat up when no one is home.

There’s no reason for your furnace to be continuously running when your home is empty. Turning the thermostat down 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day will help you cut utility costs. 

Installing a programmable thermostat will help you save money by automatically scheduling the thermostat to lower while you’re at work. 

Skip seasonal maintenance.

Having all necessary maintenance and repairs done before you turn your furnace on will ensure it runs efficiently and without issue all winter. Schedule an inspection with a heating professional, who will thoroughly check the system for any signs of damage or worn parts to prevent a possible breakdown. 

Ensure your furnace operates efficiently this winter by contacting the HVAC professionals at Mill Creek Heating. Since 2003, this family-run business has provided residential and commercial heating and air conditioning services to Turner, OR, and the Willamette Valley. Their trained and certified technicians are available 24 hours a day for heat pump, furnace, and HVAC system maintenance and repairs. Call them today at (503) 749-1000 to schedule a seasonal tuneup and visit their website to learn more about their services