It’s summer and you’re likely not thinking about heating your home. As you work on projects around your home and yard there are three things you can do to increase heat efficiency and appliance performance later. Depending on the type of renewable heating appliance you use, consider these three actions:
- Pellet stoves and pellet fireplaces use venting that needs to be cleaned. While you may have already cleaned them for the season, check to make sure bushes and shrubs haven’t grown up and blocked your vents. Don’t assume that there isn’t any growth or obstructions; take advantage of the warm weather and hedge clipper and remove anything that may block fresh air intake or exhaust later.
- As you chop, buy, or store firewood for your wood burning stove or fireplace, make sure new wood is able to properly dry and season. All your wood should be kept out of the elements. You can learn more about storage solutions and advantages of quality wood for fuel.
- Running the air conditioner during the hot and humid months means that your air filter is working overtime. Make sure you have a new filter in your furnace blower prior to using it to circulate heat. It may not seem like it’s dirty, but all you have to do is put your used filter alongside a new one to see the difference. New filters will help increase motor/fan efficiency, as well as longevity.
Summer is also a great time to perform regular maintenance and order any replacement parts so you’re ready at summer’s end. Have a wonderful summer!