With winter fast approaching, heaters have become invaluable in keeping our homes warm and comfortable. We often overlook the value of our heaters in our home’s comfort. That is, until something goes wrong.

An inefficient heater not only consumes more energy and increases your energy bills, but it increases your utility bills and fails to provide the level of comfort you want in your home.

Fortunately, there are ways you can ensure that your heater is running efficiently and effectively. Here are some tips to improve your heater efficiency from the experts at ProSkill Services.

Regular Maintenance

The key to an efficiently operating heater is regular heater maintenance. Like any other appliance, heaters require periodic attention to function at their best. Here are some tasks included in heater maintenance:

Clean or Replace Filters

One of the most critical aspects of heater maintenance is cleaning or replacing the air filters. Clogged filters restrict airflow, making your heater work harder to push warm air through your home. This not only results in higher energy consumption but diminishes your indoor air quality. Check your filters monthly and replace them as needed, usually about one to three months.

Inspect the Ventilation System

Ensuring the vents and ductwork are clean and free from obstructions is an important part of your heater’s operation. Dust, debris, and pests can clog the vents and prevent the efficient flow of warm air. A thorough inspection and occasional cleaning can improve the heater’s efficiency and ensure even heat distribution.

Lubricate Moving Parts

If your heater has moving parts, such as a motor or furnace blower, they may require regular lubrication. Lubricating these components ensures they operate smoothly, reducing friction and energy consumption. You can check your owner’s manual to see what lubrication is recommended, but if you’re not comfortable, hire a professional like our team at ProSkill Services.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

While you can handle a lot of maintenance tasks on your own, it’s best to schedule a professional inspection and maintenance service from a certified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor. These technicians can identify and address potential problems before they become costly issues, saving you tons of money in the long run, and fine tune your heater for optimal efficiency.

Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Heater

If your current heater is outdated or showing signs of excessive wear, it may be time to upgrade to a high-efficiency system. Modern heaters, such as high-efficiency furnaces or heat pumps, are designed to use less energy and deliver more warmth to your home.

Determining Furnace Efficiency

If you have a furnace, you should be aware of the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the AFUE, the better the efficiency. Newer high-efficiency furnaces can have AFUE ratings above 90%, meaning they convert over 90% of the fuel into heat. This is a significant improvement over the older models, which typically have AFUE ratings in the 60 to 70% range.

Heat Pump Efficiency

Heat pumps are another option for efficient heating. They work by transferring heat from the outdoor air or ground into your home. Heat pumps have Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings, which measure their efficiency in heating mode. Look for heat pumps with higher HSPF ratings for more efficiency.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

One of the easiest ways to optimize your heater’s efficiency is by installing a programmable thermostat. These devices allow you to set specific temperature schedules, reducing heating when you don’t need it. For example, you can set your temperature lower while you’re away at work or overnight, since we tend to sleep better with cooler temperatures. Some smart thermostats learn your habits and routine and adjust automatically to optimize efficiency.

When you have a thermostat controlling your heating schedule, you can save on energy costs without sacrificing the comfort you want. For example, you can lower the temperature while you’re away and have your home heat up so it’s cozy when you get home.

Seal and Insulate Your Home

Your heater’s efficiency is only part of the equation. If your home can’t retain the heat it generates, even the highest-efficiency heater will struggle to keep you warm. Here’s how you can ensure your home is well sealed and insulated:

• Check for drafts: Inspect your doors and windows for drafts. Use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any gaps and prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering your home.
• Repair insulation: Proper insulation in your walls, attic, and floors is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. Insulation retains heat during the winter and keeps your home cooler in summer. Consider adding or upgrading insulation to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
• Seal ductwork: If you have a forced-air heating system, check for leaks in the ductwork. Leaking ducts can result in a lot of warm air lost, reducing the efficiency of your heater and raising your energy bills. Seal any gaps and insulate your ducts to keep the warm air inside.

Utilize Zoned Heating

Zoned heating is a type of heating that allows you to adjust different room temperatures, rather than maintaining a consistent temperature throughout your entire home. This approach can significantly reduce your heating costs.

You can upgrade to a zoned heating system, but here are some options for creating temperature zones on your own:

• Use space heaters:Space heaters are a good way to provide extra warmth to specific areas of your home. By using space heaters in the rooms you spend most of your time in, you can lower the overall temperature in your home and save money and energy.
• Close doors and curtains:Keep doors closed to isolate the heat within the rooms you are occupying. Use curtains or blinds to block drafts and keep the warm air inside, especially if you have drafty windows.
• Install a zoned heating system:Zoned heating systems offer a more advanced approach to creating different temperature zones in your home. You can control the temperature in your living spaces and keep the temperature lower in the areas you don’t use. This is also ideal for allowing everyone to control the temperature in their own bedrooms.

Use Ceiling Fans Strategically

Ceiling fans are typically used in summer, but they can help distribute warm air more effectively throughout your home. In the winter, set your ceiling fans to operate in reverse, pushing warm air down from the ceiling. This can create a more even temperature and reduce the need for the heater to run continuously.

Maintain a Clean and Unobstructed Heater

Keeping your heater clean and free from obstructions is important for optimal efficiency. Make sure to clear the area around your heater and remove anything that can block airflow, such as your stored items or furniture. A clutter-free space allows your heater to operate safely and efficiently.

You should also keep your heat registers and vents clear. Make sure no furniture, drapes, or décor are blocking them. Doing so can disrupt the flow of warm air, leading to inefficient heating and potential damage to your system – or your décor.

In addition, dust and clean the heater itself. You can follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning to avoid damaging any sensitive components.

Monitor and Adjust Your Thermostat Settings

Monitoring and adjusting your thermostat settings can significantly impact your heater’s efficiency. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your thermostat:

• Set your thermostat to the optimal temperature. For many people, a good setting is 68 to 70°F when you’re home, lower when you’re away.
• Reduce the temperature when you’re leaving for work or before you go to sleep. This simple adjustment can lead to significant energy savings over time.
• Consider a smart thermostat to optimize your home’s heating.
• Open curtains during the day to let natural sunlight in. This can warm your home naturally to reduce the burden on your heating system.
• Close the curtains at night to create an additional barrier against the cold. Curtains help to insulate your home and hold the warm air inside.

Practice Energy-Efficient Habits

Adopting more energy-efficient habits can make a huge difference in ensuring that your heater runs efficiently and effectively. Here are some tips:

• Wearing warm clothing, such as sweaters and thermal socks, can keep you warm without cranking the thermostat up.
• Use blankets and throws on your couch or bed to get extra warmth and comfort. As a bonus, blankets are cozy.
• Cook and bake strategically to take advantage of the heat naturally generated by your oven and stovetop.
• Be aware of your hot water temperature. Lowering the temperature of your water heater can save energy and reduce your heating costs. 120°F is sufficient for most people.
• Close doors to unused rooms to avoid wasting heat.

Tune Up Your Heater Before Winter

Ensuring that your heater is running efficiently is important for your home’s comfortable and your wallet. There are plenty of ways that you can improve your heater’s efficiency – and your overall home’s efficiency.

Looking to upgrade your heater or schedule heater maintenance? Contact us at ProSkill Services to set an appointment!