When it gets cold in West Jefferson, the last thing you want to have to think about is keeping a comfortable home. In an ideal world, it would be mindless and you'd be lounging around on the couch soaking in the toasty warmth of your home and not thinking twice about what's going on outside. Of course it may not be that straightforward, and there are a couple things that could be taking place in your home that could end up with you arranging furnace repair or trying to determine why your bill is so high.
There are a number of causes for a surge in your energy expenses, but these are three of the more common ones we usually hear about at West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc..
- Heat is getting out through the glass of your windows - when hot air comes in to contact with cold glass on your windows, that air loses some of its heat. To help decrease the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, be sure you're closing your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows receiving light during the day.
- Lack of attic insulation - if your home is older, there's a chance that it doesn't have enough insulation. Of course this means you may be losing heat through your attic, which in-turn makes your furnace work harder, and may eventually lead to the need for a furnace repair. You can easily look to see if you have the right amount of insulation by looking in your attic to see if the insulation is below or even with the joists. If it is, you likely need more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors - sometimes these gaps are more obvious and visible to the naked eye or substantial enough to feel drafts sneaking in, but sometimes that may not be the situation. Take a closer look at all of your windows and doors to decide whether you need to add weather stripping to seal those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps can make your furnace work more than it needs to, potentially boosting the chance that you'll need furnace repair.
We hope these few tips can help you uncover any problem-spaces in your home that could be diminishing the comfort of your home. If you have any questions about furnaces, furnace repair or other ways to combat heat-loss, give us a call at 614-879-9091.