Heating Tips in Pittsburgh, PA
A central heating system is a basic part of any home in Pittsburgh, PA. Getting through our winters is impossible without effective heating! However, we’ve found that many homeowners aren’t getting the best from their heaters, often letting energy go to waste without realizing it. Our team at Boehmer Heating & Cooling would like to help put a stop to this.
- Over 90 Years in Business
- Family Owned and Operated
- Specialize in Whole-House Energy Savings Approach
To help you get the quality heating you need without exploding your energy budget, we’ve put together some of our best heating tips gathered from our decades in the business of residential comfort.
Contact the Boehmer Heating & Cooling team today. Over 90 years of putting you first!
How to Lower Heating Costs Without Sacrificing Comfort
There are several ways to cut down on heating costs without having to turn the thermostat down so far that you might as well be at the Penguin Encounter at the National Aviary. We recommend you keep your thermostat set to 68°F during the day when people are home and wearing warmer clothes. Let in as much light as possible during the day, but cover windows when they aren’t exposed to the sun to lower heat loss. Always schedule regular maintenance for your heating system with our team each fall so your heating system works at maximum energy efficiency. Read on for more tips…
Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Your Heating System
Our technicians can take care of the bulk of the maintenance your heating system needs during the fall. There are some steps you’ll need to take on your own, such as regularly changing the filter for your heater (if it’s a forced-air system like a furnace or heat pump). On a monthly basis. vacuum any vents or grills you can easily access to reduce debris buildup.
Please don’t try any maintenance on mechanical parts on your own, such as the thermostat, burners, pilot assembly, pressure regulator, heat exchanger, flue pipe, diverter, supply line, or any moving parts. Call our professionals for help instead.
Common Heating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The biggest mistake we see homeowners make with heating their homes is to push up the thermostat far too high or to continue adjusting the thermostat throughout the day. A high thermostat setting won’t make the heater warm your home any faster; it only makes the heater stay on for longer. Instead, find a lower comfortable temperature (such as 68°F). Keep the thermostat temperature steady—one temperature for the day and one for the night—since continually adjusting it forces the heater to consume more power and run down faster.
Seal Drafts and Improve Home Insulation
Insulation is critical for your home’s energy efficiency. Poor insulation levels and air leaks in your home will allow heat to rapidly escape, forcing your heating system to work even harder to make up for the loss. We recommend you schedule an energy audit for your home that will pinpoint places where you have insufficient or aged insulation and other heat leaks. You can then hire professionals to improve the heat sealing on your home. This will result in better comfort and a reduction in overall energy costs.
When to Upgrade Your Heating System for Better Efficiency
The lifespan of a central heating system depends on the type. Gas furnaces will last for around 15 years, and electric furnaces for 20+. Heat pumps often last for 10–15 years, and boilers can last 20–30 years. We advise you to look into replacing any system at the upper range of its service life since at this point it will start losing efficiency and cost more to run. The newest models of heating systems on the market have superior energy efficiency levels that will help you start saving money immediately.
If you have questions about making an upgrade to a new energy-efficient heater, our NATE-certified technicians are happy to help guide you.
The Importance of Regular Filter Replacement for Heating Systems
Forced air heating systems like furnaces and heat pumps use a blower filter to protect their interiors from debris like dust and lint. These filters must have regular replacements, usually every 1–3 months, or they’ll cause the efficiency of the heating system to plummet. Clogged filters can also lead to damage to the heating system or cause it to overheat. Make sure you pay attention to the filter on your heater and remember to regularly swap it out for a clean on.
Smart Thermostat Tips for Optimizing Heating in Pittsburgh
Here’s the best philosophy for using your thermostat: don’t raise it, lower it! You want the difference between the temperature inside your house and outside the house to be as small as possible, since this slows down the speed your home loses heat to the outside. You don’t have to drop the thermostat to an ice-cold level—just pinpoint a temperature your family finds comfortable when wearing warm clothing. We recommend you aim for 68°F during the day, and then lower the setting by 8°F at night or when the house is empty. Using a programmable or smart thermostat will help immensely with managing energy-saving thermostat settings.
