Ensuring that your heating system is working as efficiently as possible is important for minimizing your heating expenses during the winter. However, it is a fact of life that new homeowners may not have the experience or knowledge needed to know how to get the most from their heating systems. To help you minimize some common heating issues that can arise, you should be aware of the following few tips.

Clean The Furnace Every Month

Homeowners are often aware of the importance of regularly changing the air filters for their heating system, but they may overlook the need to keep the furnace's exterior clean. If large amounts of dust and dirt are allowed to accumulate, your system will likely start to experience a severe decrease in performance. This occurs because the dust will inhibit the airflow of the system, and it can clog the moving parts of the unit's blower. By wiping down the exterior with a dry cloth at least once a month, you will remove these substances before they are able to become large enough to cause issues for the system.

Test The Thermostat

A well-working thermostat is essential for having a heating system that works efficiently. Unfortunately, it can be possible for the thermostat to lose its ability to effectively measure the temperature. To test this ability, you should place a thermometer next to the thermostat to ensure that it is giving an accurate temperature reading.

In instances where you notice that the thermostat is giving an inaccurate reading, you should thoroughly dust it. When dust accumulates on the interior of the thermostat, it can cover the temperature sensors, which may inhibit its ability to measure the temperature. In order to remove the dust, you should use a can of compressed air. By spraying this air into the interior of the thermostat, you can remove any dust accumulations that have gathered on the sensors.

Consider Upgrading Ducting

One of the primary sources of energy waste in a heating system is the ducting. There can be a number of small gaps in the ductwork, which can allow heated air to escape before it reaches your rooms. You can help to minimize this problem by upgrading to insulated ducting. If replacing your ducting is beyond your budget, you can achieve many of the same benefits by having your home's current ducting sealed. When the ducting is sealed, a special tape will be applied around any joints in the ducting. This will help to minimize any air that escapes, and these savings may be more than worth the expenses required to upgrade the ducting.

For more information, contact companies like HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric.