Finding ways to decrease the workload of your furnace or boiler this winter will help you save money while preventing unnecessary strain on your heating system. As a result, you’ll decrease your need for professional heating services during this crucial time of year. Use this guide to keep your home warm without raising the thermostat.

How to Make Your Heating System More Efficient

1. Identify Air Leaks

In most homes, warm air can escape through small holes and cracks around windows, doors, and attic access points. This loss of heat pushes the system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature setting. Eventually, this heavier workload can cause parts to break, and it can even lead to a breakdown. Decrease your chances of heating system malfunction and failure by covering holes and cracks with caulk and weather stripping.

2. Wear Extra Layers

Instead of raising the thermostat to get more comfortable, put on extra layers of clothing. Bundle up in your favorite sweater and cushioned socks. Also, place throw blankets around the house, so you can stay warm no matter which room you're in. If possible, layer rugs across the floor for added insulation. 

3. Install Window Treatments

Sometimes filling in the gaps in your window frames isn’t enough. Older windows can still let heat escape and produce a noticeable draft inside the home. If you’ve had the same windows for a while, install tight-fitting drapes or curtains to keep the cold from entering the interior space. However, during the daytime, open drapes and curtains on the south-facing side of your home to allow sunlight to naturally heat your house.

4. Lower the Thermostat

When you’re asleep or out of the house, lower the thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees. Leaving it at this lower point for at least eight hours per day will help to lower your annual heating costs by 10 percent. Consider installing a smart thermostat that will automatically make these temperature changes throughout the day. 

 

For reliable home heating service, turn to the professionals at Kraft Heating. Since 1995, they have provided boiler, furnace, and radiant heating services to the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska. Their heating contractors are available to handle emergencies 24 hours a day and offer a three-year craftsmanship warranty on all installations. Call them today at (907) 488-8989 to schedule a tuneup or new installation. Visit their website to learn more about their work.