As we head toward winter, more and more people are turning on their heating systems. If you’ve noticed a big jump in your heating bill as compared to last year, you may need to consider some reasons as to why your heating has become so expensive to run. Our Sunset Air technicians have put together a short list of reasons that can account for a sudden jump in energy costs, as outlined below.
Reason 1: Faulty Ductwork
Your ductwork in an integral part of your heating system, but it can be overlooked or even ignored because it isn’t as visible as other parts of the system. Faulty ductwork – ductwork with significant cracks, holes or disconnections – can account for up to 30% of your home’s total air loss. Your furnace will work to compensate for this loss by working harder, which forces it to use more energy.
Reason 2: No Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set a heating program for different times and days, as far out as a week. You can program your heater to maintain more moderate temperatures when your home is unoccupied, such as during the work week, or at night when everyone is in bed. It can be difficult to remember to change your thermostat on your own, and the EPA estimates that for every degree you can lower your thermostat during the winter, you can save up to 3% on your energy costs.
Reason 3: Insufficient or Poor Maintenance
Every season your heating system operates causes it incurs a certain level of wear and tear. Without annual maintenance, this wear and tear is not taken care of, and will continue to run down your system season after season. Maintenance helps reduce your energy usage because it is cleaned and adjusted, and all moving parts are lubricated, which allows the system to work optimally. When your system works optimally, it doesn’t use extra energy to work.
If your heating bills have taken you by surprise, call Sunset Air today and let a trained HVAC technician in Olympia, WA help you find out what is happening with your furnace.
