How To Make Your Electric Heater Perform Better This Winter

Now that the bitter cold of winter has set in, are you tired of hearing your electric heater running all day long? Is it using way too much power and jacking up your utility bills sky-high? Is your indoor air quality lacking due to stale recycled air? If you answer yes to these questions, then you can improve the situation by doing each of these important things:

Change the HVAC System's Filter

Dust and dirt enter your home every time someone opens a door or window. One of the ways they are removed from your living space is with the heater's filter. The filter is also effective at removing pet hair, pet dander, and other airborne contaminants and does so each time the system runs.

When the HVAC system's filter is dirty and clogged, then the grime off of the filter is pulled back into the blower and sent back into your living space with the heated air. Additionally, the system will need to work harder to bring in the same amount of air to heat. This uses additional electricity and puts a strain on the system's mechanical parts. 

To keep your indoor air quality high and the heater working without struggling to pull in air, change the furnace filter as soon as it looks soiled.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

If your home has an older non-programmable thermostat, then it is time to replace it with a programmable model. New thermostats are inexpensive and being able to program exactly when you want heating and cooling from the HVAC system is one of the best ways to save money on your power bills.

Important Note: Thermostats typically run on batteries that need to be changed on a regular basis. Get into the habit of changing the thermostat's batteries when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors and it will never leave you in the cold.

Have the Duct System Professionally Cleaned and the HVAC System Inspected

Another leading cause of bad indoor air quality during the winter is a dirty ductwork system. Dirt and pet hair fall down through the registers and into the duct system. Also, dirty air is pulled through the filter and deposited on the interior surface and joints where it builds up year after year.

While you can vacuum your HVAC system's main components and the registers, the only way to remove the dirt from the inside of the ductwork is with professional cleaning. If you have never had this done for your home, then it is past time to do so.

Additionally, while the HVAC technician is at your home, have the entire system inspected to make sure it is performing at its optimal level. Contact a company, like Carpet Cleaning Supply of Indiana, for more help.

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