The more you know about your home's heating system, the more you will understand what's wrong with it when you experience heating system issues. This knowledge can help you know what repairs your system needs, and find the right HVAC company for the job.
So how much do you really know about your home's heating system? If you're thinking you don't know much at all, then you are not alone. Unfortunately, most people don't take the time to get to know their HVAC systems as well as they should. Read on to learn more about your heating system and its vents.
What Kind of Heat Distribution System Does Your Home Use?
Your heating system likely uses either air ducts or water pipes to heat your home. If it uses air ducts, you probably use a heat pump or forced-air system (like a central furnace).
If your system uses hot water and radiators to heat rooms, you have a boiler. Heat pumps pull what little heat there is in the outside air during winter months and pump it into your house to heat it.
During the summer, the process is reversed, and the warm air from inside your home is pumped out to cool it. A furnace blows warm air through a system of ducts and out into each room through warm air registers or grills.
Boilers are usually natural gas or heat oil powered and work by heating water that flows into radiators in various rooms. The radiator's metal surface gets heated up by the water and radiates heat into the air. Once the water cools a bit, it returns to the boiler to be reheated.
Why You Shouldn’t Close Vents in Unused Rooms
Believe it or not, closing your air vents when you’re not using that particular room can actually cause your monthly heating bill to rise!
Most people think that by closing their vents, they are saving money. However, closing your vents doesn’t stop your ducts from distributing heat to that vent.
What it does do, though is throw your system of, making it work harder to heat the room when you reopen the vent.
Tips on How You Can Save Money on Your Heating Bill
There are a few ways you can quickly lower your monthly energy bill during the colder months of the year. The first is by using your ceiling fans smartly to make your heating system more efficient.
Keep your ceiling fans running at a low speed, rotating clockwise, to gently push warm air down into the room, keeping it warm.
Keep your windows uncovered during the day to let heat energy in. Finally, you can turn your thermostat down ten to fifteen degrees at night to lower your heating costs. Just make sure you invest in warmer blankets and pajamas to make up for the cooler temperature at night.
Call Lascko Services for all your heating system needs this winter! Give us a call today to speak with a technician in Muskegon. Make sure to share this article with your friends and neighbors to help them save some money on heating this winter too!
