Furnace Efficiency Tips

If your heating bill is putting a chill on your budget, Arctic Enterprises Inc. can help you save money this winter. As the cooler months unfold, you can take these steps to help reduce your energy bill:

1. Turn the fan on. 
Even if you don’t have a top-of-the-line furnace, it will cost just a few dollars a month to keep your central heating system fan running all the time. The fan will keep air moving through your house to keep it evenly heated and prevent the coldest air from collecting on the floor downstairs. 

2. Think twice about that cozy fire. 
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a roaring fire sends as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour up the chimney. That warm air will be replaced by cold air pulled from outside the home. Your furnace will have work even harder to heat that cold air while your fire is burning. 

3. Heavier curtains can save you money. 
Installing heavily insulated curtains and keeping them closed at night can cut your heating bill by reducing heat loss overnight. 

4. Plug those plugs. 
Electrical outlets on outside walls can allow cold air into your house. Seal them off with easy-to-install insulating kits available at most hardware or home-supply stores. Also, seal and insulate around other openings, such as attic doors, vents and water pipes. 

5. Plant more pine trees. 
Plant pine trees, cedar trees and other evergreens on the north and west sides of your house. Since they do not lose their leaves in the fall, evergreens help block cold winds all winter long. 

6. Get a seasonal system check-up to minimize future repairs. 
Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor from Arctic Enterprises Inc. perform a full system check-up. Preventative maintenance on your furnace is one of the best ways to save money on your energy bill and minimizes the cost or furnace repairs to a minimum. 

Call Arctic Enterprises Inc. at (815) 893-4381 for any questions about your home heating system.