Is Heating and Cooling your Chicago Area Home Draining Your Bank Account?
When the weather in Chicago and the surrounding communities gets colder, inevitably, your heating bill grows larger. This does not need to be the case. There are several simple, low-cost solutions to trimming the cost of heating your home.
Don’t forget to change your furnace filters regularly. Dirty filters make the furnace have to work harder. This costs you money in hating and cooling, as well as future furnace repair costs. This may seem like a “no-brainer” for many, but you would be surprised to learn about how many people don’t perform this crucial step.
Keep all vents and heat exchange locations clear from obstructions. Especially be mindful of couches, chairs and entertainment centers. Additionally make sure your drapes are not blocking the heat exchanges to allow good furnace air flow. This way, when you are heating and cooling your home, you will not be overworking your equipment.
Ensure that there are no heat creating devices near your thermostat, this can create a false reading. An oven, or other heating appliance or device will make your thermostat believe it is warmer than it actually is. In the winter you will turn up the heat, and in the summer, you will crank the AC to make up for the False reading, this will further increase your heating and cooling costs.
Re-caulking windows and replacing worn weather stripping is something that most people can do themselves, or have a family member help with. Reducing drafts will allow you to turn your thermostat down and augment your overall heating and cooling efficiency.
By performing these basic tasks, and having annual furnace maintenance, you can keep your heating bills down. You will also decrease the chances of requiring a costly furnace repair.
However, if you really want to lower your bills for heating and cooling in Chicago, Orland Park, Joliet, or all of chicago – land, the ultimate solution would be to install a 95%, or higher, High efficiency Furnace. These gas furnaces are available at incredibly low prices when combined with Chicago (Peoples Gas) or suburban (Nicor) utility company rebates, and offer exceptional value.
