When it’s frigid outside, you’ll stop at nothing to heat your home. But did you know that cranking up the heat after coming home to a house that’s been cold for so long is bad for your furnace? Here’s a round-up of mistakes to avoid while you heat your home this coming winter season. If you’ve made them in the past, you may want to consult a heating specialist.
Ignoring a foul smell
Have you ever walked around your house and thought you smelled rotten eggs? This is a very important signal to watch out for in your home, for it could be a gas leak odour. Here’s what could be happening:
- There could be a crack in the heat exchanger of the furnace.
- This is sending carbon monoxide into your home.
If there’s a foul odour in your home, don’t make the mistake of spraying your home with air fresheners. Instead, vacate the premises and call 911. Once your home has been checked, it’s important to make a call to your local heating professional. They should conduct a full inspection on your furnace unit to ensure it’s in proper working order. Make any necessary repairs in order to prevent a harmful situation from happening in your home this season.
Ignoring furnace maintenance
We’ve all heard the saying: If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. While your furnace might be running, that doesn’t mean it’s running at its optimal capacity, nor does it mean there are minor glitches with the unit that can lead to much bigger problems in the future.
Instead of waiting for the unit to break down on what could feel like the coldest day of the year, have a heating professional inspect the unit on a regular basis. When a unit is inspected regularly as opposed to annually, a professional can identify any problems with the unit and make the necessary repairs. Putting off maintenance could cost you more money in the long run if a problem is left without repairing and the unit breaks down.
Closing air vents in the rooms you’re not occupying
There’s a common misconception that closing the air vents in the rooms you’re not using will allow for the hot air to only filter through open vents throughout the house. That’s not always the case. Your HVAC system and air ducts are built in such a way to evenly distribute warm air into every room in the house. Closing air vents disrupts the balance and can prevent that proper air flow from filtering into your home. This puts stress on your furnace, which can lead to a costly breakdown and repair.
Instead, keep the air vents open throughout the house and adjust your thermostat to a temperature you can comfortably live with.
Cranking up the thermostat upon arriving home
Picture this: you lowered the thermostat before you left the house in order to save on energy. That’s a smart move on your part because what’s the point in having the thermostat run when there’s no one home to bask in the warmth? However, upon returning home, the house is frigid and you immediately turn up the thermostat. This is yet another mistake you’ll want to avoid this season. Here’s why:
- Your furnace takes time to heat up and exchange the cold air in your home for warm heat.
- Cranking up the heat means the furnace will take longer to reach that higher, desired temperature.
Instead, set the thermostat to a few degrees higher and wait for it to work. Once the furnace is warmed up, gradually increase the temperature until you’re comfortable. By being patient and running the furnace slowly, you’ll put less stress on the unit and prevent it from breaking down.
This is a fixable problem: purchase a programmable thermostat! Here’s how they work:
Don’t be left stranded without heat this winter. Instead, make these adjustments to your day-to-day routine in order to ensure your comfort. Don’t forget to visit our directory to find a heating professional who has the expertise and knowledge to help you with your furnace. Routine maintenance is important in order to ensure the unit is working and heating your home properly.
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