With the colder weather settling in, the last thing you want to have to worry about is sustaining 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, things don’t work that way, and there are a few issues that could be taking place in your home that could end up with you scheduling furnace repair or trying to figure out why your bill is so high.
There are a variety of causes for a rise in your energy expenses, but we will share some of the most common reasons.
- 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, that air loses some of its heat. An option to help minimize that impact is to make sure you’re closing 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 – if you live in an older home there’s a chance 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. 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 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. Make sure to take a close look at all of your windows and doors to determine whether weather stripping is needed take care of those gaps. As we mentioned with attic insulation, window and door gaps can require your heating system 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 815-410-1128.