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Therm on Thermostats: The Best Type for Saving Money

Posted at 2:53 PM, Oct 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-22 16:53:01-04

Did you know you can get a rebate check from Dominion Energy when you buy a smart thermostat? That's because smart thermostats not only help you regulate your home temperature to efficient levels, but they also remember your patterns, meaning they can keep the home colder when you're out of the house, saving you money! You can also control most thermostats from your phone, meaning you can turn on your heat from your bed!

Therm from Dominion Energy stopped by with more information on thermostats, plus how to keep your furnace running efficiently!

He also said by far, the most important thing you should do when the weather gets cold is have a licensed heating contractor to come perform an annual inspection.And how important is it to have the filter checked?

Therm says:

  • A dirty filter will cause all sorts of performance and efficiency problems, and you can avoid them by simply checking and/or changing your filter once per month.
  • It`s important to keep in mind that your central air-conditioning also flows through this same ducting as the heated air from your furnace. Many people like to to open their windows in the summertime. While that brings in fresh air, it also brings in a lot of dirt and dust. The filter can become clogged with pet dander, pollen, etc. even in the summer months.
  • A licensed contractor can tell you if you need to or not.

Therm gave some other good advice:

  • Keep the area around the furnace clear of clutter so it`s able to get the amount of air it needs to run at its full capability.
  • Be extra careful to make sure nothing flammable is near the furnace - it`s powered by a flame, so you don`t want anything that can ignite nearby.
  • Beyond where your furnace is, make sure the air returns and registers inside of your house aren`t blocked. If they are, it decreases airflow, making your furnace much less efficient.
  • A licensed contractor will know where all of the above is.

And did you know, our mountainous location affects how your furnace functions?

Therm says:

  • Altitude affects air pressure, which has an effect on the work your furnace needs to run efficiently.
  • You can think of it like going on a high, steep hike - the higher you get, the more out of breath you tend to get. Since your furnace works by circulating air, your elevation has the same effect on it.
  • A licensed professional can make sure your furnace is properly adjusted for altitude.

If you have any questions, you can visit Dominion Energy online at dominionenergy.com.