Not many are aware that a gas furnace needs to be maintained for it to function both efficiently and effectively. Even though there is a lifespan attached to them just like all other household appliances, if you were to use it the right way, you can surely prolong it as well. In this blog, we are going to take a look at some important gas furnace usage tips from heating repair services that will help you save money in every way. Let’s begin!
Make Sure The Filter Is Clean
The first most important tip you need to consider when it comes to using a gas furnace is making sure that the filter is clean. There is a reason air filters are installed in a gas furnace. Since the unit is constantly utilizing and dealing with air, there is a huge chance that toxic air and contaminants can make their way inside.
Air filters in that respect ensure that the indoor air quality is optimum and prevents anything toxic from being circulated in the house. However, if the air filter happens to be clogged or dirty, not only will you breathe in toxic air but the furnace will need to work twice as hard as well. As a result, the lifespan of your furnace will decrease.
Use A Programmable Thermostat
Using a programmable thermostat is perhaps the best way of reducing energy bills. Surprisingly, people still ignore this fact. Programmable thermostats are not that expensive and you can easily purchase them from your local supermarket. Once you have purchased it, ask a professional to install and calibrate it.
A programmable thermostat records the temperature inside the house and informs the furnace to either increase or reduce heat production. This way, you do not need to manually control the temperature, which reduces the efficiency of the furnace. In addition to that, you can set a lower temperature if you plan to go away from home for a while instead of turning it off and on.
This way you will come back to a relatively warm house without adding too much to your energy bills.
Check The Air Ducts
Part of making sure that your gas furnace works efficiently and effectively is inspecting the air ducts regularly. With time, certain animals such as birds and rats can take accommodation, which can block the passage of air. Cleaning the air ducts is a necessary procedure to increase the quality of air.
If you have access inside the air ducts, you should clean them once a week. If not possible, hire a professional who will perform thorough HVAC maintenance. In some cases, the air ducts can come out to be cracked as well. If you notice that your house is not warming up even after hours while the furnace has been running, it might be that there is a crack or leak somewhere.
Although you can determine the leaks on your own too, in most cases, the leaks are so minor that it takes a lot of time and effort to solve the issue. This is why hiring a professional will be a wise decision since repairs will follow as well.
Use Natural Sunlight
Apart from using the gas furnace, you should make use of natural sunlight to reduce the energy bills. Even though gas furnaces are tough, rigid, and designed to perform for days, when natural warmth is shining down upon you, you should make use of it and reduce the burden on the furnace. At the end of the day, you get to reduce energy bills as well.
Use The Curtains The Right Way
Believe it or not, you can prevent heat loss by using your curtains strategically. You might have thought that these large pieces of cloth are just for privacy but you can make a significant difference in your energy bills at the end of the day.
You can open them during the day and let some sunshine in to heat the inside of the home if you have south or west-facing windows. However, if you have any north windows, keep them closed even during the day.
Final Word
That’s it! If you have a hard time figuring out how to reduce your energy bills and ensure maximum efficiency of your unit, you should follow the tips mentioned above or call in a furnace repair service DC.
