Winter has arrived and don’t we know it. With average temperatures being around 10 degrees, heaters in Geelong, Torquay and around the Surf Coast are being turned on daily. This increases the electricity costs in your home and office, but there are also many ways you can keep your house or business warm just by making a few little changes, which can save you energy and money.

1. Maintaining Heaters – When we rely on our heaters so much it’s important that they are working to peak capacity. Cleaning filters regularly and having annual professional servicing will enable your heating unit to maximise its potential.
2. Set Timers – It’s so nice waking up to a warm room or arriving to work in a cosy office, this is where heating timers work so well. You can set your timers to turn on one hour before, so your room will be warm and ready for you, your family, or your staff.
3. Maintain Heat – If it’s a sunny day then it’s beneficial to keep your windows uncovered to allow the sunlight to warm up your rooms. Although at this time of the year we tend to have more wet and windy days. On colder days closing your blinds, curtains or shutters will maintain warmth in the room and act as layer of insulation.
4. Install Insulation – Although window coverings help insulate your home, professional insulation in your roof  and walls can improve heating loss by up to 25%. The cost at the beginning can be higher, but the long term savings and improved energy efficiency is definitely worth considering.
5. Remove Draughts – Making certain your home or office are clear of draughts is a great way to keep the warmth in. Sealing around gaps in window sills, placing rubber seals on the bottoms of doors if there are gaps, or using draught stoppers along doors, will remove draughts and maintain heat.
6. Thermostat Settings – Modern heaters are fantastic by having advanced technology such as thermostats. Even though it is tempting to crank up the warmth by setting your thermostat in the mid 20’s, this will make your heater work extremely hard to try and reach the setting and use a lot of energy. Setting your thermostat to 21 degrees is a comfortable temperature for your home or office.
7. Airflow – Maintaining the airflow around your heating unit will allow the thermostat and the fans to work adequately. If your heating unit is blocked by furniture, wall speakers or clothes racks etc, then your heater can think it has reached its set temperature and turn off.
8. Ceiling Fans – Did you know that many ceiling fans have a winter setting and a summer setting. If you turn them to the winter mode, then this will reverse the air flow. Just keep them on low speed though, as their role in winter is just to circulate the warm air.
9. Reduce Moisture – Steam from the shower and dishwasher, or hot air from clothes dryers can affect the thermostat setting in your heater. Reduce moisture in the room by closing shower and laundry doors.
10. Your Heater – If you notice any change in your heater, such as strange noises, smells, or changes in the way it performs, please contact our team as soon as possible. Just like your car, your heater needs to be looked after too.

MakoAir have been installing, servicing and maintaining heating units around Geelong and the Surf Coast for more than 20 years. For any heating questions please call us on 0490 333 461.