Here in the Pacific Northwest, cold winters are common. We also experience sub-zero temperatures on occasion. When outdoor temperatures drop that low, your home’s heating system must work overtime to keep you warm. That can lead to some unusually high energy bills. If you want to avoid surprises, there are a few things you can do to ensure peak heating efficiency, even in extreme cold.
Remember to Schedule HVAC Maintenance
The single most important thing you can do to keep your heater running efficiently is to see to its maintenance needs. Your heating system, regardless of its type, needs an annual tune-up to keep performing optimally. Ideally, you should schedule your yearly visit in early fall. That leaves enough time before the heating season begins to address any lingering problems. Plus, a heating tune-up includes a complete cleaning of your heater’s main components and lubrication of its moving parts. Both ensure maximum operational efficiency. Regular maintenance will extend your heater’s lifespan, too.
Don’t Neglect Air Filter Changes
Maximizing heating efficiency also means ensuring proper airflow through your HVAC. So, you should make a point of changing your HVAC air filter as needed. Most systems need a new air filter roughly every 90 days. However, you can also inspect your air filter between changes to see if it’s dirty. A dirty air filter will reduce the volume of air passing through your heater. That can force your heater to run longer to reach your set temperature. It also increases wear and tear on your HVAC’s blower fan.
When you change your HVAC filter, be careful to use a filter with the same dimensions and MERV rating. If you pick a filter that’s too thick, it may not fit in your system. And if you select one with a higher MERV rating, it will reduce airflow compared to your original filter. If you’re interested in improving your home’s air quality, there are other ways to do it. For example, we can install an extended media filter that cleans your air without harming HVAC airflow.
Open All Your Home’s Vents
When temperatures plunge, some homeowners start closing vents in unused rooms. They think that it will save them money. Unfortunately, that’s rarely true. Your home’s ductwork can only carry a specific volume of air. Its design assumes that all its vents will remain open. When you close too many vents, you increase the static pressure in your ducts beyond their design limits. That creates backpressure that your heating system must fight to overcome. As a result, your heater may run even longer than it would have otherwise, which harms overall efficiency.
Use Ceiling Fans Strategically
It may sound odd to hear that your home’s ceiling fans are useful in the winter, but it’s true. If you run them at low speed in a clockwise direction, they can improve your home’s heating efficiency. The reason is simple: heat rises. When you turn on the heat, much of your heater’s output ends up trapped near the ceilings, where you can’t feel it. Your ceiling fan can create a slow updraft that forces the warm air back down. Additionally, that ensures proper air mixing, so your home’s thermostat gets a more accurate temperature reading.
Install Weatherstripping
One of the simplest ways to improve your HVAC efficiency in the cold is to install weatherstripping. It’s especially beneficial if your home has old or inefficient windows and exterior doors. Weatherstripping can help ensure a tighter air seal when you close those windows and doors. That keeps more cold air outside and prevents heat from escaping. Depending on the initial condition of your doors and windows, weatherstripping can make a huge difference. According to the Department of Energy, improving window and door air seals can cut your heating and cooling costs by over 20%.
Lower Your Thermostat Slightly
In extreme cold, it’s tempting to turn the thermostat to a higher temperature setting to enjoy some extra warm air. However, your heating system’s efficiency depends on the difference between the outdoor air temperature and your set temperature. The larger the gap between the two, the harder your heater must work to reach the setpoint. In this part of the country, installers size heating systems to handle average winter temperatures of 29 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, your heater should have no trouble maintaining a 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperature indoors. When it’s much colder than that, you should consider turning your thermostat down a few degrees. Efficiency experts recommend a thermostat no higher than 67 degrees Fahrenheit. You can even set it lower than that if you’re willing to bundle up a little.
Don’t Lower Thermostat While Out
Another way to improve your HVAC efficiency in extreme cold is to refrain from lowering your thermostat when you’re away. In normal conditions, doing so can save money, since there’s little need to heat spaces that aren’t occupied. However, in extreme cold, you’ll need to run your heater for extended periods to raise the temperature upon return. That will erase any potential savings and harm your comfort. You should only lower your thermostat significantly if you’ll be away from home for days, not hours.
Let the Sunshine In
If any part of your home has decent solar exposure in the daytime, you can use that to your advantage. The sunlight will warm your home if you let it in. However, you shouldn’t just open curtains and call it a day. You should only leave your curtains open when there’s ample sunlight. When it’s cloudy or the sun goes down, close your curtains to help retain more heat in your home.
Upgrade Your Heating System
At the end of the day, your heating system can only be as efficient as its design allows. If you want a meaningful efficiency increase, you may need to upgrade to a new heater. For example, high-efficiency gas furnaces can operate at up to 98.5% efficiency. Those are a perfect fit in homes here in Hillsboro, OR. Or, if you prefer, you can upgrade to a cold-climate heat pump. Today’s models will operate at close to 400% efficiency through most of the winter. Importantly, cold-climate heat pumps run at efficiencies of at least 175% at temperatures as low as -15°F. Most can even meet a home’s heating needs at those temperatures without the need for auxiliary heat.
Your Efficient Heating Experts
If you need some expert help improving your Hillsboro home’s heating efficiency, Pro Heating and Cooling, Inc. is the place to go. Our team of NATE-certified HVAC experts can service heating systems of any make or model. Additionally, we sell and install the latest in quality furnaces and heat pumps. As members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, we uphold the highest professional standards. We’re a multi-year Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave, so we have your neighbors’ seal of approval. We can also offer you financing options on approved credit if you need help affording a heating replacement. So, for all your heating needs in Hillsboro, contact Pro Heating and Cooling, Inc. today!
