Winter is already upon us, and we would like to remind homeowners of a few helpful tips to keep you warm, save on energy costs, and prevent emergencies from arising this winter season:

Have your burner serviced. It’s important to keep your boiler or furnace running efficiently. They say to keep extra money around in case the furnace goes out; but instead, why not pay a fraction of that cost up front, to help ensure everything is running smoothly? Oil-fired systems need annual maintenance, while gas systems and heat pumps need a check up. Having your boiler or furnace checked now may help to prevent potential issues, and also maintain efficiency. And remember, efficiency = decreased energy costs.

Let the heat reach you. Take time to dust and vacuum radiators, baseboard heaters, and furnace duct openings. Make sure heat is able to escape from radiators and heaters without obstructions such as furniture and drapes.

Install a carbon monoxide detector. This is on our list for your safety throughout the winter. There are home heating devices that may increase the risks of carbon monoxide, and it’s best to be prepared in case an emergency were to happen.

Turn down the thermostat when you’re not home, and at night. For every degree you lower your thermostat throughout the day, you can save 2-3% in energy costs. If you turn down your thermostat from 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours each day while you’re not at home, you can save as much as 10% on annual heating costs. You may be interested in purchasing a programmable thermostat to automatically set the temperature where you need it throughout the day.

If you’re winterizing your home, hire a licensed professional. We’ve had customers with leaking pipes and other issues as a result of improper winterization. Winterizing your home should be done by a professional to prevent issues from happening when you open your home in the spring or summer.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to have your burner serviced, install a CO detector or programmable thermostat, or to have your home winterized, please give us a call at (603)569-1569 today.

Thursty Water Systems, Electrical, Plumbing & HVAC is licensed and insured.