When the temperature drops in Beckley and Mount Hope, the last thing you want to have to think about is sustaining a comfortable home. If everything were perfect, it would be mindless and you'd be hanging out on the couch enjoying the toasty warmth of your home and not thinking twice about what's going on outside. Of course it may not be that simple, and there are a handful of 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 variety of causes for a surge in your energy expenses, but these are three of the more common ones we usually hear about at Appalachian Heating.
- Heat is leaking out through the glass of your windows - when hot air contacts the cold glass on your windows, that air loses some of its heat. To help reduce the effect that the glass has on your cozy home, be certain that you're closing your drapes during the evening hours and only opening drapes on windows getting light during the day.
- Not enough attic insulation - if your home is older, there's a chance that it doesn't have enough insulation. Of course this means you might be losing heat through your attic, which then makes your furnace work harder, and might eventually lead to the need for a furnace repair. You can easily take a look and 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 probably need more insulation.
- Gaps in windows and doors - sometimes these gaps are more apparent 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 figure out whether you need to add weather stripping to close up those gaps. Just like it is with attic insulation, window and door gaps could make your furnace run more, potentially increasing the chance that you'll need furnace repair.
We hope these three tips can help you identify 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 lower your heat-loss, give us a ring at 304-707-0600.