Sunrooms Fulfill Many Winter Fantasies
Now that October is well underway, people in many regions of the country are starting to worry about the impending increases in their utility bills.
Unfortunately, though, the heat is on in more ways than one, because, once again, energy costs are rising.
It's no wonder that, at this time of the year, people start dreaming about jetting away to warmer climates, or living on tropical islands, until spring returns.
However, the truth is that most would settle for simply having their own sunrooms, where they could spend the cold, winter days.
Certainly, if your house has a sunroom, you know that it's one spot that will give you relief from the chill.
Even so, you still have to take the same steps as everyone else, to keep the rest of your home warm, without spending a fortune.
There's no doubt that the biggest part of this equation is your furnace; and you'll start the season in an advantageous position if you haven't waited until now to think about it.
Regrettably, furnaces, which comprise the first line of defense against the cold, are often neglected during the rest of the year.
Then, they're expected to rise to the challenge of running constantly throughout the frigid months, which can include long stretches of sub-freezing, and even below-zero, temperatures, without complaint.
Well, as we all know, it rarely works out that way.
Therefore, your best bet is to have it checked every year, by a professional, who will clean and inspect your furnace, making sure that the pilot light and thermostat are working properly, checking for leaks in the fuel pipe, and, usually, installing a new filter.
Most experts recommend having this done in late summer or early fall.
Once the weather turns cold, heating technicians get inundated with calls, including many emergencies; so, it may take awhile before someone can make it to your home.
Things will be even worse if you're the one with the emergency, because, not only will you have to wait in the cold, but, depending upon what time of day it is - or, simply, what day it is - you may end up paying double as well.
By being meticulous about annual maintenance, you can ensure that your furnacewill be there when you really need it.
Now, even if the professional puts in a new filter, remember that the constant running of the furnace throughout the winter can cause it to get clogged with dirt.
Because that, in turn, will restrict airflow, making the furnace work harder, and increasing energy usage, it's a good idea to clean or replace the filter once a month.
To keep the air even cleaner, and to save more time and trouble, you may want to install a permanent, electronic filter.
This type will trap around 88% of the dirt and debris floating around, as opposed to the 10%-40% caught by the old, disposable fiberglass filters, so it's better at controlling bacteria, viruses, pollen, and mold, which can cause illness and respiratory irritation.
Of course, that sunroom thing is worth looking into as well; and it's not some far-fetched fantasy, either, because, you don't have to have one built into your house already, or even put on an addition.
Unfortunately, though, the heat is on in more ways than one, because, once again, energy costs are rising.
It's no wonder that, at this time of the year, people start dreaming about jetting away to warmer climates, or living on tropical islands, until spring returns.
However, the truth is that most would settle for simply having their own sunrooms, where they could spend the cold, winter days.
Certainly, if your house has a sunroom, you know that it's one spot that will give you relief from the chill.
Even so, you still have to take the same steps as everyone else, to keep the rest of your home warm, without spending a fortune.
There's no doubt that the biggest part of this equation is your furnace; and you'll start the season in an advantageous position if you haven't waited until now to think about it.
Regrettably, furnaces, which comprise the first line of defense against the cold, are often neglected during the rest of the year.
Then, they're expected to rise to the challenge of running constantly throughout the frigid months, which can include long stretches of sub-freezing, and even below-zero, temperatures, without complaint.
Well, as we all know, it rarely works out that way.
Therefore, your best bet is to have it checked every year, by a professional, who will clean and inspect your furnace, making sure that the pilot light and thermostat are working properly, checking for leaks in the fuel pipe, and, usually, installing a new filter.
Most experts recommend having this done in late summer or early fall.
Once the weather turns cold, heating technicians get inundated with calls, including many emergencies; so, it may take awhile before someone can make it to your home.
Things will be even worse if you're the one with the emergency, because, not only will you have to wait in the cold, but, depending upon what time of day it is - or, simply, what day it is - you may end up paying double as well.
By being meticulous about annual maintenance, you can ensure that your furnacewill be there when you really need it.
Now, even if the professional puts in a new filter, remember that the constant running of the furnace throughout the winter can cause it to get clogged with dirt.
Because that, in turn, will restrict airflow, making the furnace work harder, and increasing energy usage, it's a good idea to clean or replace the filter once a month.
To keep the air even cleaner, and to save more time and trouble, you may want to install a permanent, electronic filter.
This type will trap around 88% of the dirt and debris floating around, as opposed to the 10%-40% caught by the old, disposable fiberglass filters, so it's better at controlling bacteria, viruses, pollen, and mold, which can cause illness and respiratory irritation.
Of course, that sunroom thing is worth looking into as well; and it's not some far-fetched fantasy, either, because, you don't have to have one built into your house already, or even put on an addition.
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