Whether you’ve lived in Minnesota for a couple of years or all of your life, it doesn’t take long to realize that our winters are some of the coldest, harshest ones around. As a result, more people either flee the state at the first sign of winter or find a way to hunker down until spring arrives. Usually, for those who choose to batten down the hatches and wait out the winter weather, this almost exclusively means cranking the heat in your home and bundling up next to the fire.
Choosing to stay cooped up inside your home isn’t always a choice for Minnesotans when the weather gets bad, but choosing to help your furnace perform at peak efficiency and reduce the risk of requiring furnace repair in Grand Rapids, MN is a decision that shouldn’t be overlooked. Take a look at five ways you can mitigate breakdowns and mishaps in your home this winter, even when you’re relying on your heat 24/7:
- Seal those windows and make sure you’re not losing heat through your glass panes! Windows are the leading cause of heat loss in a home during the winter months and doing all you can to protect your windows from unmitigated heat exchanges means addressing all facets of your windows. Plastic wrap them to add another layer of protection, seal up the frame against unrestricted airflow and be sure to have window treatments that boast good insulation properties!
- Make sure that your home’s insulation is up to scratch. This includes the insulation in your attic, upper floors and even your walls. Because heat rises, it’s a good idea to start with the highest point in your home first and inspect the insulation to make sure that it’s holding up to the task. If you notice damage in certain areas or a lack of insulation altogether, make it a point to address that area right away!
- Make sure that your furnace is inspected and maintained regularly. Not only will this lessen the overall strain on your furnace and keep your unit in good working condition for longer, it’s also going to reduce the probability of a breakdown that might result in costly furnace repair in Grand Rapids, MN.
- Whenever possible, turn your furnace down to a lower temperature, to avoid the constant on/off cycle that can occur in homes that are kept warmer. For example, if you’re headed to work all day and no one else will be home, turn your furnace down to the 50s or lower 60s. This will keep your home warm enough to combat frozen plumbing and other issues, yet cool enough to save you money all day long on heating!
- If you’re looking for a long-term solution to sustainable heating, it’s a good idea to look into zone heating for your home. This will ensure that heated air is distributed properly throughout your home, keeping it more evenly warm for longer. This will prevent premature startups by your furnace and inaccurate temperature recordings by your thermostat that might otherwise be adding dollars to your utility budget and “mileage” to your furnace.