If you wish to make your home nice and snug during the colder months, you may be thinking about installing ducted heaters. However, it is estimated that almost 40 percent of the energy consumed by the average Australian home is used for heating or cooling. If you are planning to install ducted heating, you should make a note of the following tips, which will help to improve the efficiency of your ducted heater and cut your energy bills.

Improve Your Home Insulation

During the colder months, heat from inside your home can escape, and cold air can enter your home to replace it. Homes which have poor or old insulation are most likely to be affected by this problem. Studies have shown that almost 40 percent of heating energy inside a property can be lost via the windows. A poorly insulated home means that your heating system must work much harder to replace the lost heat and to maintain a steady temperature in your home. This extra strain means that your ducted heater will consume more energy, which will increase your energy bills. You could have new insulation added to the roof space or doubled-glazed windows fitted to make your home energy efficient. However, if you cannot afford this, you could help to combat the problem by taking simple steps such as using draft excluders and fitting your windows with heavy curtains which will help to trap the heat inside your home. 

Have the Heating System Inspected by an HVAC contractor

Before winter arrives, you should call in a specialist HVAC contractor who will be able to carry out a full inspection of the ducted heating system. The contractor will check for common problems such as air leaks and will carry out any necessary repair work. They will also make sure that the heat pump hasn't become corroded.

Aim to Keep Room Temperature at 17 to 19 Degrees

The settings you use on your ducted heater will play a big part in how efficient it will be. You should aim to keep your home at between 17 and 19 degrees Celsius during the winter, as this will help to keep your home warm while keeping your energy bills down. If you find this temperature a little chilly, you should put on a thick jumper or pullover rather than turning up the thermostat. If you have any doubts about your thermostat and believe that it is not operating as it should, you should have it checked out by an HVAC contractor.

If you would like further advice about how you can improve the efficiency of your home heating system, you should contact an HVAC contractor today.