Furnace Efficiency: How to Keep Your Goshen Home Warm Without Breaking the Bank This Winter

A Goshen winter can be beautiful, but the chilling winds and dropping temperatures can also lead to a dreaded increase in your heating bill. The Mechanical Man team understands where you’re coming from. Last month we discussed the importance of regular heating system maintenance. But staying warm without breaking the bank involves more than just a tune-up. It’s about a series of small, smart habits and simple tricks that can add up to big savings.

You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference you can make by simply being more strategic about how you use your home’s heat. Instead of cranking the thermostat and hoping for the best, consider a few “efficiency hacks” to keep your house toasty all season long.

Keep warm with your thermostat

One of the simplest ways to boost furnace efficiency is maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature rather than constantly adjusting your thermostat. Find a temperature that works for your family and stick with it. Frequent temperature changes can actually make your system work harder as it struggles to reach new setpoints.

Effortless tricks for a warm home

Beyond the thermostat, there are several “passive” ways to trap and generate heat in your home. Keep these strategies in mind this winter to capture the warmth without breaking your budget:

Let the sunshine in! The sun is your best friend on clear winter days. Open your curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to stream in and naturally heat your home. When the sun goes down, close those same curtains and blinds to create an insulating layer that traps the heat inside. For added protection, consider investing in thermal curtains, which are specifically designed to keep cold air out and warm air in.
Dress warmly. Your mother knew what she was talking about when she told you to put on another sweater. Long sleeves and layers can make a difference between staying cozy or shivering at home. Invest in some pretty blankets or throws for snuggling when you’re watching a movie with the family.
Start with a strong seal. Air leaks can be a major culprit for heat loss. These hidden gaps around doors, windows, and even electrical outlets can let warm air escape and cold drafts sneak in. Use inexpensive tools like weatherstripping for doors and windows, and a bead of caulk to seal gaps around window frames. For a quick fix, a simple “door snake” or draft stopper at the base of exterior doors can make a surprising difference in eliminating drafts.
Don’t forget about your ceiling fans! While they are great for cooling in the summer, they can also be used in the winter. Flip the switch on the fan’s blade direction to a clockwise motion, so it pushes warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down into the room.
Finally, consider the power of insulation. You might not be able to redo your walls, but you can insulate outlets and switches with foam gaskets that prevent drafts. On hardwood or tile floors, throw down a few area rugs to add a layer of insulation and provide a warmer feel underfoot.

Recognizing the red flags

While these do-it-yourself tricks are excellent for optimizing your heating system, sometimes a problem is beyond a simple quick hack. Sure, it’s tempting to ignore a problem and hope it goes away. But that strategy can cost you dearly if a problem grows bigger and more expensive over time. Is your furnace making strange noises, emitting unusual odors, or failing to heat your home properly? Those are red flags that are telling you something more serious may be at play. It’s time to call in the professionals.

The skilled technicians at Mechanical Man are experts in all things heating, from diagnosing a complex repair to performing a full furnace installation. They can get to the root of the problem and ensure your system is running safely and efficiently. Remember, a call to the pros at Mechanical Man can save you money over the long run by restoring your heating system’s efficiency and catching problems before they have a chance to grow big and expensive.

This winter, keep our number handy for any heating concerns, big or small. Call Mechanical Man at (574) 301-5748 or request an appointment online at https://www.mech-man.com/. Stay warm this winter without breaking the bank when you rely on Mechanical Man as your heating partner.