Avoid Teeth-Chattering Temperatures with These Home Heating Tips

October 7, 2024

Is there anything more bone-chilling than your home’s heating system being the thing that goes bump in the night? At PayLessForOil.com, our priority is keeping you warm and cozy so that the spookiest thing in your home is your annual Halloween movie marathon, not any creeping cold air! As we snuggle in for the season ahead, there’s a few things you should check off your fall to-do list before switching on the heat. Read on to discover our top tips for preparing your Massachusetts or Connecticut home for cooler weather so you can avoid teeth-chattering temperatures indoors.

7 Things to Do Before Turning on the Heat

1. Schedule an Annual Maintenance Check-Up

It’s always best to get your heating system checked annually by a licensed HVAC technician. Getting this annual maintenance performed before you turn on the heat for the winter will help make sure your equipment works properly and efficiently. This also can help identify any potential problems before they become a nightmare to fix.

2. Check Heater and Vent Space

Make sure the vents and heating equipment in your home are not blocked or covered. Often people obstruct their heating system by moving furniture atop vents, which prevents a maximum flow of heat and encourages a costly utility bill. Move that furniture away from your ductwork venting or radiators to take full advantage of all the forced hot air or radiant heat in your MA or CT home.

3. Check Windows and Doorways for Cracks

Even the smallest crack in a window or seal can let warmth out, forcing your furnace, boiler, or heat pump to work overtime and burning extra fuel in the process. Fixing any air leaks in your home will result in a more consistent indoor temperature as well as more affordable heating bills.

4. Replace Your Air Filter

Welcome the fall season with a fresh air filter and breathe cleaner air indoors while helping your heating system operate more efficiently. It’s best practice to replace these about every 90 days.

5. Check Heating Ductwork for Leaks or Blockages

A leaky or faulty duct will cause you to lose heat before it ever reaches where you want it to. Don’t let it leak out through the sides of your ductwork, or worse, get blocked by dust and debris buildup inside your ductwork. Make sure all of your ducts and connections are secure and clean.

6. Check Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Check and change the batteries in your home’s carbon monoxide alarms before testing if it works. Turn on and test your carbon monoxide alarm to make sure it’s working properly so you’ll be able to detect any dangerous fumes that may be emitted by your home’s heating system if it stops working properly.

7. Test Your Home’s Thermostat

Finally, if temperatures are low enough, turn the thermostat to heat mode and make sure the system starts up properly. If it doesn’t, you’ll still have some time to schedule and budget for a home heating system repair before the local Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut weather gets dangerously cold.

Contact the Pros at PayLessForOil.com for Expert Heating Service

Need assistance with your furnace, boiler, or fuel oil storage tank? We’re here for you! If you have any questions about home heating or affordable fuel oil delivery in our area, get in touch with our team of energy experts today! Not yet a customer? Register online here.