Spring 2019 in Canada – when will it start

Every Canadian is desperate for the cold and persistent heavy snowy weather of winter 2019 to reach an end. Toronto experienced the coldest January with a temperature of -23c and snow accumulation in different provinces of Canada has doubled over a year ago. Snowshoeing and skating outdoor just became the dream since we continued hibernating in order to avoid the wind chill into the -30. In the meantime, the snowy winter also brought an extra strain to the heating system. To keep your Furnace running effectively, scheduled maintenance should be the prime concern. The timely maintenance keeps your heating system up and avoids all the risks that may lead to the emergency furnace breakdown.

Groundhog Day 

According to some legends, the fate of forecasting the coming of spring depends on the shoulders of some furry groundhogs every year on February 2—a day we call as Groundhog Day. The groundhogs of North America are in the agreement that in Feb-2- 2019 they are not observing their shadow. Hence, predicting an early spring. You better not warm your heart with the news as Farmer's Almanac is envisioning differently.

Farmer's Almanac

This time you have to prepare for the long winter than the usual one. As per Farmer’s Almanac prediction, Canada will witness continuing snow and cold temperature. The early march is more likely to bring snow showers to the various part of the country. The winter will linger throughout the April and early May.

How can you avoid the overworking of a Furnace in the long heating season?

You would like to ensure that your heating system runs optimally throughout the course and it can only be done with the regular Furnace maintenance. In the long heating season, you might sense some unusual noises coming out of your furnace. Don’t ignore such signs as they are the indication that something is wrong with the system.  Mind that a non-repaired furnace not only puts your family at a risk but can make water pipes to freeze costing you hundreds of dollars for repairing.

Read on to know how you can keep at arm's length from the furnace overworking.

·         In case you have a drafty home that lets the cold air in and results in furnace overworking while also spikes your electrical bill, make sure to add insulation to the walls so that the warm air can be trapped inside.

·         Don’t close the vents in an unoccupied room. You feel you are saving energy but you are paying for extra heat since closing the vents create more work for the system.

·         Whenever we feel cold, it is natural to turn up a thermostat few degrees high so the furnace can pump out the hot air speedily and we get warm quickly. You need to fight against such instincts, Moreover, changing the old thermostat with a smart or programmable thermostat is also worth considering.

Neglecting to the timely change of air filter should be a big deal to you – especially if you have active allergies. A dirty filter also disturbs the functionality of a furnace as it blocks the proper flow of air through the entire system. 

5 ways to get more warmth this Winter

A lot of people think that it takes a lot of investment to make the home energy efficient. The truth is, some simple and affordable choices can give almost the same result that very hefty investments can give. Below are 5 smart ways to make your home efficient with minimal investment.

Insulation Refill 

You, like many other homeowners, can mistakenly consider discomfort in the indoor a result of system declining its efficiency when in actuality, it is the failing insulation that is raising the level of discomfort. Check out the walls and attic and get them refilled before the peak winter begins. In case you have never had your home insulated, at least get the attic insulated. It will keep your indoor warmer and will reduce the bills.

Leaking Windows? 

To your surprise, a whole lot of warmth in winter gets wasted only through the leaks in the windows. Even small leaks let significant warmth out of the indoor. This way, not only the comfort gets compromised but also the heating system runs unusually more resulting in wear and tear and higher energy bills. Sealing windows takes not more than a few dollars. You can get yourself a duct tape and seal the leaks.

Do some alteration to your water heating system 

A lot of people are upgrading to tankless water heaters because they offer instant hot water and are energy efficient. But these two benefits come at a price that not everyone can afford. This makes Tank Water Heaters still the only resort for some people. Using a Tank Water Heater efficiently is an art known to a few. Consider for example these hacks;
Insulate the pipes with foam. Insulated pipes reduce heat loss resulting in retaining the temperature of the water as it passes through the lines. Do it particularly if you have long supply lines. Also, insulation of the tank makes a whole lot of difference. Although tanks are already insulated, adding another layer will help in saving the time for heating water and saving some dollars on energy bills.

Cook and bake efficiently 

The indoor can become warmer in winter with less use of Furnace if you cook efficiently. Instead of using electric ovens, make use of your gas ovens. Also, keep the door of the oven open after cooking so that the warmth spreads in the indoor.

Upgrade to energy efficient appliances 

Upgrading to energy efficient appliances may appear to be a costly investment but the overall expense can reduce to a significant extent by taking advantage of rebate programs. There are several governmental and non-governmental programmes that offer rebates on the purchase of energy efficient appliances.

As said above, there are simple and affordable ways that can help make the home energy efficient. Following the smart practices and making some slight upgrades, you can choose to pay less on energy bills and increase the level of indoor comfort.

So how do you keep your home energy efficient in winters?