During the colder months of the year, a dependable furnace is crucial to keeping your home warm and safe. However, with increased furnace usage comes greater energy demand and higher heating costs. Below are a few tips for maximizing your furnace's energy efficiency without sacrificing the comfort of your household.

A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating

1. Invest in Zoned Heating

A zoned heating system divides the home into separate areas that are each individually controlled with their thermostat. This allows those utilizing each zone to set their preferred temperature levels, and the temperature in zones that aren't currently occupied can be adjusted to much lower settings or switched off entirely. There is also more even warm-air distribution with zoned heating, resulting in fewer cold spots, so temperatures don't need to be raised to compensate for chillier areas of the home.

2. Add Insulation

During the winter, insulation helps trap warm air in and keep cold air out. As a result, your home's heating and cooling system won't need to work as hard or be as frequently utilized to maintain comfortable temperatures. Fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam are the most popular types of insulation. However, less-intensive DIY projects, like covering windows with protective plastic, can provide enough padding to make your furnace more efficient and lower your heating costs.

3. Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is an inexpensive way to make your furnace more energy-efficient. You can program the thermostat so that the heat only comes on when the desired, pre-set temperature levels are reached. This will maintain a more stable indoor climate, and it will reduce the energy costs—and wear and tear—of continually turning the heating system on and off to achieve a consistent and desirable temperature.

Schedule an annual furnace inspection to ensure your heating system is operating at its most efficient and cost-effective level. All Temperature Systems has been serving the Waupaca, WI, area for over 25 years. They offer furnace and air conditioning repairs, installations, and maintenance, as well as commercial refrigeration services. To request an estimate, call (715) 258-8501 or visit their website.