Fall Home Heating Tips

Photo: Business Insider

There's something to love about every season. Whether it’s summer’s longer days and leisurely pace, the beauty of winter’s first snowfall, spring’s renewal and warmer temperatures, or fall’s incredible foliage and cooler temps (not to mention pumpkin spice everything!), if you’re fortunate enough to live in an area with four seasons, you’re luckier than you probably realize!

But along with the changes in weather come the changes in how you take care of your home and property. Sure, there’s a lot to love about fall, but one thing many homeowners don’t love is the thought of rising heating costs as colder temps approach. Heating your home is certainly a necessity, but it can  =eat up a big piece of your household budget every month. It’s important to take care of your heating units so you’re not wasting money or any of that cozy warm air.

Below are a few ways to keep your home heating system’s efficiency high and costs low:

Furnace or oil burner inspection. Scheduling a furnace or oil burner cleaning should be one of those routine appointments you put on your calendar every year, like going to the dentist or taking your dog for their annual checkup at the vet. It’s that essential for keeping your home nice and toasty all winter long. A professional HVAC technician can give your heating system a thorough check-up to make sure it’s running properly and identify small problems before they turn into big ones.

Fireplace and chimney cleaning and inspection. Along with your home’s central heating system, many homeowners like to stoke their fireplace on exceptionally cold nights. If this sounds like you, make an appointment with a chimney sweep, who can clean and inspect both the fireplace and chimney before peak season.

Find and seal leaks. Check your windows and doors for any openings or cracks and seal them accordingly with caulking or weather stripping.  Air often escapes through windows in older homes, and drafty conditions are both uncomfortable and expensive (if the cold air is coming in, then the warm air is escaping from inside!)

Watch your thermostat. For some households, winter means a regular tussle over a comfortable temperature—it seems as if someone is always too hot or too cold! Heating professionals recommend turning your thermostat down at night (and piling on the blankets) and any time you and the family are away from home. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to an agreed-upon temperature that keeps everyone happy!

Clean your air filter. A dirty or clogged air filter can make your heating unit work twice as hard. Changing the air filter regularly (at least monthly) will keep your heating system running well, and improve the air quality in your home.  Family members with allergies or asthma will certainly appreciate having less pollen or other allergens circulating through the air in your home.

A few quick routine maintenance tasks can help you save money and stay warm all winter long. Would you add any other tips?