Furnace

 

It’s November and in true midwestern form we have gone from lovely warm, crisp autumn days to freezing cold over the span of a couple weeks.

Time to get that furnace blowing and keep the home and family toasty warm.  But, as we switch the AC over to the furnace, we know worry about the gas bill going sky-high.  Heating the home can account for nearly 70% of the energy costs of your home.   Here are 7 tips to keep your home warm without draining your checking account every month.

1.    Open the Curtains

Heat from the sun is free.  Simply open those blinds and curtains during the day and let the sunshine in.  When it gets dark be sure to close the curtains and blinds to act as insulation to keep in the warm air.

2.    Program the Thermostat

Program the temperatures down when you sleep (recommended temperature for a good sleep is 65°F) and if you aren’t home during the day dial it down for the time no one is home.  Then, program the thermostat to begin warming up 30 minutes prior to waking in the morning or arriving home in the afternoon.  So, you will be toasty warm.

Additionally, if you can stand it, turn down the temperature completely.  Turning down the thermostat by just 1° can potentially cut your energy costs by up to 10%.

If you do not have a programmable thermostat, install one now.  It is a great way to keep your home temperature regulated and  your energy bills down.

3.    Move the Couch

Snuggling up on the couch next to the vent is a great way to stay toasty warm, however the couch will absorb the heat, leaving the room cooler than you would like and wastes energy.  Move the couch away from the vents and be sure the vents are free from obstructions like throw rugs, tables, etc.

4.    Update the Insulation.

Nearly 25% of the heat of a home is lost through the roof.  Rectify this heat loss by installing insulation in the attic.  While you are at it, make sure your walls are insulated properly and be sure to seal any cracks in the foundation or window frames.

Though insulation installation is not cheap, it will save you money in the long run.

5.    Check the Ducts

Make sure your air ducts are not clogged or have any leaks.  A simple, inexpensive cleaning can clear the crud and make the air flow better.  Additionally, while having the ducts clean have them checked for any gaps or leaks in the ductwork and have that repaired immediately.

6.    Raise the Humidity

Cold winter air is usually very dry, especially indoors.  This also contributes to making you feel cold.  The home heating system tends to suck moisture out of the air, resulting in feeling colder.  Increasing the humidity level in the home can help make 68° feel like 75°.  Moisture in the air will also allow the indoor air to retain heat longer, thus the longer the temperature and home remain warm the furnace doesn’t need to work as hard to warm up the house.  (A whole house humidifier is a great solution to adding moisture to the home.)

7.    Replace your HVAC System

The typical HVAC system lasts around 10 to 15 years.  If your unit is quite old, you may want to consider updating your system.  Additionally, if the newer furnaces have energy saving and efficiency features that will save you money.

You Can Keep Warm & Save Money

With a bit of planning and elbow grease you can keep your home and your family toasty warm this winter without spending a small fortune!

If you are unsure about your HVAC system or your furnace’s performance, be sure to schedule a system check today, we can  help you figure out how it is working and what you need to do to keep your home warm this winter.

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
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