The temperature in West Alabama will remain cooler for the next several weeks so the last thing you need to be concerned about is keeping a comfortable home. Preferably, you would be spending the winter enjoying the comfort of your home and not even concerned with the cold temps. Of course, it may not be that easy, and there are a few things that could be occurring in your home that might result in a need for furnace repair or a higher than normal energy bill.
There are several causes for an increase in your energy bill, 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 is 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 make sure that your windows are receiving light during the day before opening them.
Lack of attic insulation
With older homes, there’s a possibility that there is insufficient insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, causing your heating system to work harder than necessary, and could eventually lead to the need for a furnace repair. 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 it is, you’ll likely want to add some more insulation.
Gaps in windows and doors
Sometimes these gaps are more obvious and visible to the naked eye or large enough to feel drafts coming in, but sometimes that may not be the case. Make sure to take a close look at all of your windows and doors to determine whether weather stripping is needed to take care of those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps can force your furnace to work harder, increasing the chance of furnace repair down the line.
We hope these three tips can help you identify any problem-spaces in your home that could be inhibiting the comfort of your home. If you’d like to speak with our professionals about your furnace or indoor comfort, give us a call at 205-364-1044 or email us at [email protected]. Visit our website at www.legacyhvac.net.
