The temperatures are starting to fall here in Utah. The kids are headed back to school and you and your colleagues have used up all your vacation days. That can mean only one thing: winter is just around the corner.
Throughout north and central Utah, Beehive Plumbing will be standing by to assist with furnace and HVAC repairs all winter long. Whether you need our help or not, we want to pass along some winter heating tips. They apply in Salt Lake City, Provo, Park City, Lehi, and pretty much everywhere else in the state.
Keep Up With Regular Maintenance
We talk a lot about furnace and HVAC maintenance because it is so crucial to keeping things running. Utah’s climate and environment are such that our systems take a beating throughout the year. Even during the summer, when the furnace isn’t running, dirt and debris can work their way into our systems. So can smoke from wildfires.
The main point here is to keep up with regular maintenance. Make sure you change your filter on a regular schedule. Note that you may have to change it more frequently during the high-demand winter months. Also take some time to give your furnace a once-over. Clean the vents and registers and remove any clutter that could impede airflow.
Take Advantage of the Sun
Even though it can get quite cold in the Beehive State, we get plenty of sunshine throughout the winter. Use it to your advantage. Opening blinds and draperies during the day, especially on south-facing windows, can make a significant difference. Natural sunlight can help warm your home so that your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
Likewise, draw the curtains at night to help trap some of the warm air inside. You might even install heavier drapes for the winter if you have some in storage.
Seal Windows and Doors
Heavy curtains can help keep your house warmer at night, but don’t stop there. Check all your windows and doors for leaks. The drafts they are known for can make you feel cold and force your furnace to work harder than it should.
Weatherstripping and caulk will take care of any leaks you find around windows and doors. As a side note, you can check how tightly you have sealed things up using a lighter or a match. Holding the open flame an inch or two away from the window or door frame will quickly reveal any draft still coming in.
Insulate Unprotected Pipes
Are any of your pipes exposed to cold air? If so, protect them with foam insulation. You can buy inexpensive foam tubes designed specifically for pipes at your local home improvement outlet. Order them online if you don’t want to go out.
Insulating pipes accomplishes two things: it prevents freezing and ensures your water heater doesn’t have to work so hard to supply hot water. He would call both big wins.
Keep Our Number Handy
We round out our list of tips for winter heating with a reminder to keep our number handy. In addition to standard and maintenance services, Beehive Plumbing offers emergency services throughout our service area. Here’s hoping you don’t need us to come out in an emergency. But if you do, we will be ready.
Utah winters can be brutal. Do what you can to make sure your furnace is up to the task of keeping you warm. Do what you can in terms of routine maintenance. And if you need help or run into a problem, don’t hesitate to contact us right away.