Some things are easy to forget: the shopping list, clothes in the dryer, your anniversary (we’re celebrating our 40th all year long!). Your heating system is another. After all, you likely only give it a second thought when you adjust the thermostat or if something goes wrong. But caring for your heating system not only keeps you warm and cozy on cold winter nights, it also can save you thousands in repairs or replacement costs. Don’t neglect your home’s heating system. Give it the love it deserves with these easy tips.

Heat the Whole House

It’s a common misconception that blocking off little-used rooms will help reduce your electric bill, but that isn’t necessarily the case – unless, of course, you live in a castle with entire wings you can shutter. That isn’t the reality for most of us in Northern Virginia. In fact, closing or blocking a vent may actually cause your heating system to work harder.

Your system is balanced for the size and configuration of your individual home. Sealing off rooms can add undue stress to this system by building up air pressure in the ductwork, making the unit cycle on and off with greater frequency. It’s also natural for heat to flow from warmer to cooler areas, so any cold rooms will likely drain heat away from warmer ones nearby.

Change Your Air Filter Every 1-3 Months

Not only does a clean air filter pull out more contaminants, pollutants, and allergens from your home (allowing the whole family to breathe more easily), it can also save you money. When an air filter becomes clogged with debris, the amount of air that can flow through it is greatly diminished. This causes your heating system to work harder to circulate the same amount of air, reducing energy efficiency and shortening the system’s life.

We recommend peeking at the air filter regularly and replacing it every 1-3 months, or when you notice heavy clogging. Getting ready for spring cleaning? If you start any projects that kick-up a lot of dust, check the air filter in the week following. You may need to replace it sooner than scheduled.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

We’ve all been there: coming in from the extreme cold outside, only to find the house just isn’t warm enough. Resist the urge to crank up the heat. Setting the thermostat to an extreme temperature won’t heat the house faster, it will just stress the system. No matter how high you set the temp, your system delivers heat at the same rate, so you’re only increasing your heating bill without feeling any warmer any faster. Choose a reasonable temperature and keep your thermostat steady.

With these tips, you’ll greatly extend the life of your home’s heating system while reducing your worries and bills. Of course, if something does go wrong, SSI is here for you! We’re the area’s trusted expert in heating system maintenance and repairs. If you need help heating or cooling your home, just give us a call today.