Preparing for Winter

It’s hard to even think of preparing for winter when it’s still so beautiful outside! It is a good idea to start thinking of your home heating however, in order to avoid a “no heat” situation! Make sure you are prepared by having your heating equipment serviced, or look into replacing your heating system if necessary. Every heating system should be inspected and cleaned each year, to ensure maximum efficiency and performance all winter. You may want to consider replacing your furnace if: Your furnace is more than 15 years old. You want to change fuel types (e.g. from electric to natural gas). You have expanded your house and the existing furnace cannot handle the new heating load. You have an older furnace that is not compatible with the new air conditioner you would like to buy. To keep your furnace working at its best, consider investing in a maintenance plan. Early warning signs can be detected and addressed before serious problems occur, saving you money. Also, a well maintained system will minimize energy consumption, prolong the life of your equipment and reduce the likelihood of emergency calls. Another great option for winter is a gas fireplace. Fireplaces are a necessary way to provide your home with a secondary heat source. They provide radiant heat through power outages, which is essential in winter months. Fireplaces are a home comfort necessity and are designed to provide your home with warmth and ambiance. Gas and electric fireplaces are much more cost effective and energy efficient than previous years. With as much as 60% of your yearly electricity costs going toward heating and cooling your home, it makes sense to look for ways to reduce your usage. With the HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVE you can receive up to $650 by installing an ENERGY STAR® qualified central heating or cooling system. www.saveonenergyontario.ca