Autumn is a great time for getting your heating systems ready by doing test runs and taking precautions to make sure it’s working all winter and there will be no bad surprises. Taking some time to weatherproof your home and maintain or upgrade appliances can result in significant savings when the snow starts falling and making a few small changes can help both the environment and even your bank balance. We have put together a couple of helpful tips to make your home toasty inside and stop that precious energy from escaping if you start getting ready now.
Find Draughts
There are many ways to keep out the cold, but one of the best ways to keep your energy bill down is to reseal your home. Try and detect all the draughts and leaks in windows. Patch them up by using either caulk or insulating tape, to prevent energy escaping. The most important thing to ensure is that doors are sealed properly.
Bleed Radiators
Bleed your radiators by releasing the trapped air to make them energy efficient. Sometimes hot water is stopping the air from rising so they can’t heat properly. To open the valve at the top, you can do so by using a radiator bleed key until you hear air hissing and there is a tiny bit of water dripping, then close it up again.
Get Boiler Serviced
Autumn is a great time to get your boiler serviced, as many technicians won’t be fully booked yet. A lot of emergency calls are made on the first cold day because the heating system fails to start. Getting an annual service before you need to run your boiler daily will make the furnace work more efficient and it will also last longer as little problems can be detected early and taken care of.
Inspect Chimney Flues
Let a professional check your chimney to ensure proper venting of the gases to prevent combustion. The professional should also check for creosote on the inside of the chimney, which is highly flammable and of tar-like consistency that is known for starting most house fires. Creosote build-up sometimes happens due to the use of unseasoned wood.
Check Furnace
The average life expectancy for a gas or oil furnace is 15-20 years. Replacing your old one might sound costly at first, but a certified new model will work at least 15% more efficient than the old one. Despite the purchase cost, getting a new furnace will help you to cut down on heating bills eventually.
Get A Gas Fireplace
If you have been dreaming about snuggling up to lively flames without the hassle of chopping wood, Gas Fireplaces professional will help you to find a fireplace that’s just right for you. Whether you prefer a striking double sided fireplace like the Lopi 4415ST HO GS2 to fit into your contemporary interior, or are in love with beautiful wide-angle flames on a coastal driftwood log fire as the unit Regency GF900L offers, your local fireplace will provide you with all the information you need to turn your lounge into a toasty retreat zone.
Buy Timers
Timers that turn your heating on and off automatically are a great, easy way to save energy as the furnace heats to the desired temperature as fast as possible, hold it for the chosen length of time and then cools down. Just find your ideal room temperature which should be between 20°C – 22°C and let the timer do its work. This way you make sure the heating is not on too high for too long.
Replace Or Clean Furnace Filters
Dirty filters increase the usage of energy by restricting water flow. It is healthy as well as energy saving to keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted. Replacing or cleaning the filters to keep your furnace running at peak can save up to 5% of your heating bills
Get Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every home that uses combustion for heating should have carbon monoxide detectors installed near the furnace and in different rooms of the house to detect gas leakage quickly. Without enough ventilation or due to an old furnace, carbon monoxide can build up inside the house to deadly levels.
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