Winter has finally arrived, and while we’re not dealing with cold weather the way the East Coast has, we get our share of cool days and chilly nights. You’ll need to run your heating system more often almost by default in the wintertime, and that means you’ll be paying more on your monthly heating bills than you would during other points of the year. But just because you’re paying more doesn’t mean you should pay more than necessary. You can help your heating system perform more effectively, and cut into those costs in the bargain. Here are a few tips on the best ways how.
Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category
Help Your Heating System Perform Efficiently
Tuesday, January 9th, 2018Signs You Need Heating Repair
Monday, December 18th, 2017
California winters are never as cold as they are further east, but here in the Central Valley, we get our share of freezing cold nights and early morning frosts. You need a reliable heating system not only to keep your home comfortable, but to prevent potential health issues for those nights when the mercury drops well below tolerable levels. And if your heater needs repair, now is the time to properly take care of it.
That means moving swiftly when signs of trouble arise with your heating system. In many cases, a serious problem displays symptoms weeks or even months in advance, and while you should never try to diagnose (much less repair), a heater without proper training and licensing, you can still spot those signs simply by watching your heater as it runs and looking for anything out of the ordinary. Chances are that you have already run your system this fall. The next time you turn it on, look for the following common signs that something is wrong.
How Does Solar Electricity Save You Money?
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017
We live in sunny California, and even when it rains in the winter, we can expect a lot of sunshine no matter what the time of year. Solar technology has been available for a long time, but it keeps getting more efficient and easier to set up. For the right property, investing in solar panels can end up saving you a great deal of money. How? Read on for the answers.
How to Cut Down on High Heating Costs this Winter
Monday, December 4th, 2017
Our winters are never as bad here as they are in other parts of the country, but we still get chilly nights, and regular frosts are not unheard of. A good heating system can be your best friend during the coldest parts of the year and can help your family stay healthy as well as comfortable when the temperatures really drop.
We’re used to paying more for our monthly heating bills in the winter, and in some ways, there’s no getting around that. Increased use means increased cost, period. However, just because you’re paying more to use your heater doesn’t mean you should pay more than necessary, and those higher bills don’t always have to be as high as they can sometimes get.
There are a number of ways to reduce the costs of running your heater in the winter. Some of them are very easy to implement, and you might be using them already. For example, setting the thermostat a few degrees cooler than you might normally can shave precious dollars off of those monthly bills, and dressing warmly inside can keep you comfortable without having to waste money running the furnace. But if you’re looking to do more than that, there are a number of options you should consider.
Test-Run Your Furnace Before the Winter
Monday, November 20th, 2017
Winter, and the first real cold snap, is still not yet upon us but it’s usually a good idea to start up and run your furnace or heater this time of year. Whether you’ve just purchased your furnace or are hoping to coax one last season out of an older one, a test run is always a good idea in these relatively mild weeks before winter begins in earnest.
Check Your Heater with Timely Maintenance
Monday, November 13th, 2017
The weather is getting colder by the day, and if you aren’t running your heating system on a regular basis already, you soon will be. Imagine the trouble you’ll have if you turn on your furnace in the middle of a cold front and have it fail to turn on or demonstrate some other kind of problem. A timely repair service can get the problem dealt with, but far better than fixing problem is preventing it in the first place.
3 Factors to Consider When Buying a New Heating System
Monday, October 23rd, 2017
We’ve enjoyed a long Indian summer these past few weeks, which can be a great boon for local homeowners looking to replace their heating system. The more planning and preparation you can do in anticipation of installing a new heater, the better off you’ll be. A good technician can help you with the specifics of your home and install the unit that is best suited to your needs, but it helps to understand the basic factors that you need to consider.
Every home is unique and therefore every heater needs to reflect the specific needs of the home it keeps warm. Determining those factors can go a long way towards ensuring that your new heater is exactly what you need it to me. Here are the three most important, along with a brief explanation.
Why Is Low Airflow a Problem for Your Heater?
Monday, October 16th, 2017
With heating season rapidly arriving, now is the time to give your furnace a close look and check for any problems that might occur. We’re using our heating systems these days, but the weather is still comparatively warm. That lets you observe any issues the furnace may have and get them addressed before the weather gets too cold later this winter.
One common symptom of trouble is reduced airflow: warm air moving out of your vents more slowly than you’d expect. It sounds minor, but it actually signals a significant problem.
What Do Ductless HVAC Systems Do for You?
Monday, October 9th, 2017
If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, fall is the ideal time to plan and prepare for it. Autumn in central California is usually quite mild, which means you’ll have plenty of time to decide which system you want and plan the installation before you’ll have need of it. And while most of us are accustomed to centralized heating and air conditioning systems, they’re not the only type out there. If your home can’t support a traditional centralized system—or it can, but you just don’t feel it’s right for your needs—there are other options available.
Get Your Heating System Ready for Winter
Monday, September 25th, 2017Fall has officially arrived, and while we may still have a few hot days left in the year, we’re going to be depending upon our heating systems more and more as the autumn weather continues. If you haven’t gotten your furnace ready for winter yet, now is an excellent time to do so. While laymen should never attempt to diagnose or repair any damage to a functioning heater—it takes formal training and licensing—it’s usually a good idea to turn it on and check for any unusual activities. Regular maintenance can help as well if you’d rather leave the basic diagnosis to professionals. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they work.