Proper furnace maintenance
Getting your furnace serviced each year before cold weather arrives can keep you comfortable and save you money, according to Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning Dayton.
Here are things the local company said you can do yourself to assure that your furnace is operating properly and safely.
- Make sure nothing flammable has been stored next to the furnace over the summer.
- Run your heater before it gets cold to make sure you don't have a problem.
- Change the filters regularly.
- Be sure all access panels are secure, with all the screws in place.
- Be sure the thermostat is set in the heating mode.
To learn more about Airtron’s services, go to www.airtrondayton.com.
There are many ways you can save money on your winter electric bill, experts say.
U.S. households will use more heating fuel this winter than last winter, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s because temperatures are expected to be near normal this winter, while last winter experienced above normal temperatures in many areas of the country, the administration said. The average family spends $2,200 annually on energy bills, almost half of which goes to heating and cooling, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
“People don’t have to spend money to save money on energy,” said Kevin Hallinan, a University of Dayton mechanical and aerospace engineering professor who is working with Energize Clinton County to develop Dropoly, a free online energy reduction game that shows users where they can reduce energy costs.
Here are Hallinan’s tips to help you save on your heating costs this winter.
- Set your thermostat lower. "The Department of Energy has shown setting your thermostat one degree lower reduces heating costs by 3 percent. Recommended set points are 65 degrees when people are home and 55 degrees when people are sleeping or at work. In my case, I was able to reduce my heating costs by more than a third through only the cost of a good programmable thermostat."
- Remember the "snow-melt" test. "If the snow on your roof melts the day after a snow storm, the residence doesn't have adequate insulation in the attic. In fact, many residences don't have any insulation at all in their attic space. If there isn't any at all, then a resident can pay for attic insulation through heating and cooling savings in less than a year."
- Check ductwork. "If ductwork is in (an) unheated attic or basement spaces, it should be checked for leaks. The Department of Energy estimates that (a) third of all heating and cooling costs are lost to leaks in ducts. People can visually inspect for leaks and fix (them) with metal duct tape."
- Does your house whistle? "If your residence 'whistles' on cold, blustery days through leaks in windows or doors, fix them with caulk and flashing."
- Close dampers on fireplaces when not in use. "This could cost hundreds of dollars per year."
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