As the temps continue to get cooler, the last thing you want to have to worry about is maintaining a comfortable home. In an ideal world, you would be able to relax in a warm home and not thinking twice about what’s taking place outside. Of course, it typically doesn’t happen that way, and there are a few issues that could be occurring in your home that may require furnace repair or trying to figure out why your bill is so high.
There are a number of causes for a rise in your energy expenses, but we are highlighting a few of the more common ones we encounter.
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows – when hot air comes in to contact with cold glass on your windows, the indoor air becomes cooler. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, make sure you’ve closed your drapes during the evening hours and only open the drapes on windows that have light coming in during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation – with older homes there’s a likelihood that there is a lack of insulation. This means you could be losing heat through your attic, causing your heating system to work harder than necessary, and may eventually harm your furnace. It’s not hard to determine if you have enough insulation, take a look and see if the insulation is below or even with the joists. If it is, you likely need more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors – it’s not always easy to tell by just taking a quick look if there are large gaps. Be sure to thoroughly look at all of your windows and doors to establish whether weather stripping is needed take care of those gaps. As we mentioned with attic insulation, window and door gaps can make your furnace work harder, increasing the chance of furnace repair down the line.
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 314-325-7552.