Winter weather can be tough to deal with, especially when you’re seeing a significant increase in your heating bills. Knowing what drives up such costs during this time of the year can help you take important steps to prevent derailing your home’s heating requirements. Burch Oil, your trusted professional heating oil delivery and HVAC contractor explain the four common reasons behind high heating bills.
1. Poor Home Insulation. If your furnace or heat pump is running but your indoor spaces still don’t get any warmer, it is likely that your home’s insulation has something to do with it. Weak or damaged insulation can contribute to rising heating bills. While adding more in your attic and drywall can help solve this issue, you’ll want to replace damp, outdated or pest-infested insulation.
2. Leaks in the Ductwork. Your home’s ductwork can get damaged due to long-term wear and tear, causing heated air from your unit to leak through the cracks, holes and loose seams. The heating system, in turn, has to work twice as hard to keep your indoors comfortable. In doing so, however, more energy is wasted, reducing the efficiency and performance of your furnace or heat pump. Schedule an appointment with an HVAC services company to have your ductworks inspected.
3. Inefficient Furnace. If your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, you may want to consider replacing it. Remember that an old heating system may no longer be as efficient as it once was. While a furnace replacement may be costly, having it replaced can help you save up to 20% on energy consumption. If your heating unit is fairly new, however, you’ll want to prolong its lifespan. Invest in regular HVAC maintenance for your peace of mind.
4. Issues With the Thermostat. It is also possible that your thermostat is not working as efficiently as it should, causing your furnace to provide less-than-desirable home comfort. If you have an older thermostat model, consider replacing it with the new, programmable type, which allows you to set temperatures for specific times of the day. You may also choose one with smart capabilities.
Turn to Burch oil for your heating oil and delivery needs, as well as heating repair, replacement and maintenance. Call us today at (301) 373-2131 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment.
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