With the colder weather settling in, the last thing you want to have to worry about is keeping a comfortable home. It would be great to be lounging around on the couch enjoying the cozy warmth of your home and not even concerned with the cold temps. Of course, it typically doesn’t happen that way, and there are a few things that could be taking place in your home that might result in a need for furnace repair or a higher than normal energy bill.
There are several causes for higher utility bills, but we are highlighting a few of the more common ones we encounter.
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – when the warm air in your home reaches windows that are cold from the outdoor air, it impacts the indoor air by reducing some of the heat. One way to help reduce the loss of heat is to make sure you’re closing your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows receiving light during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation – if your home is older, there’s a likelihood that it doesn’t have enough insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, which in-turn makes your furnace work harder, and may eventually lead to the need for a furnace repair. You can easily check if you have enough insulation by looking in your attic to see if the insulation is below or even with the joists. If it is, you likely need more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – as you are taking a look to see if there are any gaps around your doors or windows, keep in mind that they aren’t always easy to notice. Be sure to thoroughly look at all of your windows and doors to decide whether it requires weather stripping to take care of those gaps. Similar to attic insulation, window and door gaps can force your furnace to work harder, making the possibility of furnace repair later even greater.
These are just a few tips to help you determine any potential problem areas in your house that could cause heat loss. If you’d like to speak with our professionals about your furnace or indoor comfort, give us a call at 636-206-4250.