Heating Tips for Puyallup, WA

Thermostat Maintenance

Make sure your thermostats are accurate. Not only should they be maintained regularly with proper calibration, they should be kept away from external heat sources that might give false readings. Being near a fish tank or an oven, among other heat or cold emitting appliances, can cause these false readings and cause your heater to work improperly.

Additionally, you should consider installing new thermostats that provide better control. Multiple climate zone control helps you set the heat in individual rooms while digital thermostats allow you to set timers that keep the furnace from turning on when no one is at home.

If you plan on leaving the house, make sure to turn down your thermostat as well. If it is not freezing outside, turn off your heating system completely. If it is below freezing, keep it on just warm enough to ensure nothing freezes.

Regular Heating Maintenance

We recommend regular maintenance on an annual basis. However, you can also maintain certain aspects of your heating system throughout the year with some simple tasks.

To start with, remove any excess dust from the motor and blower blades of your furnace (make sure the electricity is turned off before doing anything with your furnace). You should also vacuum any vents or grills you can easily access monthly to reduce debris buildup.

If you need maintenance done on your thermostat, burners, pilot assembly, pressure regulator, heat exchanger, flue pipe, diverter, supply line, or any moving parts, call for professional assistance. We don’t recommend that you perform your own maintenance on these parts due to the danger of injury.

Reduce Heat Loss

Heat loss is a major factor in the overall efficiency of your heating system. If you allow too much heat to escape from your home through unsealed windows, open doors, or poorly insulated attic space, your heater is forced to work overtime to replace the lost heat. You can avoid this problem by having insulation installed throughout your home and any cracks sealed. There are a number of incentives to make these energy efficient changes, not to mention the reduction in energy cost on your next bill.

Humidity Management

Most people don’t realize that humidity can have a substantial effect on their comfort. If it is too dry in your home, your body will lose heat faster and make it harder for you to maintain comfort. Humidifiers are generally inexpensive and easy to install. They can even be installed on a room-by-room basis so that they do the most good in areas where you spend the majority of your time. Not only will proper humidity control help you stay warmer in your home, it will keep your skin and furniture from drying out during the coldest months of the winter.

Heating Problem Warning Signs

Just because your heater turns on does not mean it is working at optimal efficiency. Check your heater on a regular basis to make sure there are no accumulating problems with any of the components. Listen for unfamiliar sounds, check for uneven heating in rooms, and watch for a spike in energy costs on your next bill. Any of these factors may signal a problem with your heating system’s efficiency.