A homeowner can take several steps to reduce winter heating costs. One is to keep the furnace in excellent working order through routine maintenance. A Residential Heating Technician in Cheyenne WY can perform the furnace inspection and cleaning service that should be done each year, preferably before the heating season gets into full swing. During the inspection, the technician takes note of any parts that are starting to show signs of wear and should be replaced to prevent furnace breakdowns. A company such as Poudre Valley Air can handle this annual project.
Throughout the rest of the year, the homeowner mainly needs to change the air filter as recommended. A clean filter allows the furnace to work more efficiently. If the house has central air conditioning, the filter must be changed regularly during the summer months as well, since the furnace and air conditioner share the same air exchanger. It’s also a good idea to clean the return air vents regularly since this is where air in the house is sent back to the heating and cooling system. Because those ducts draw air with suction, the grates and any flat surface just beneath the grates tends to catch hair and dust.
Cutting heating costs also can be done by turning the thermostat temperature down when leaving for six or more hours. A Residential Heating Technician in Cheyenne WY can install a programmable thermostat to do this automatically if the home’s residents keep a regular schedule. For example, it can be set to turn the temperature down to 58 degrees and keep it there between 7:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, then raise it again so the house is comfortable when people start arriving back there around 5 p.m. If weekend schedules are more erratic, the thermostat can shift into a manual mode in those days.
The programmable thermostat also is useful at night if the home’s residents like sleeping in cooler temperatures under big quilts. The beauty of having an automated system is the house can be returned to a warmer temperature before the first person needs to get up and shower.
