pink piggy bank with stack of coins next to it

With energy costs rising and inflation through the roof, most of our customers are trying to save money on their Evanston heating and Ogden heating this winter. Fortunately, there are some great ways that you can heat your home without spending quite so much. Here are our top ideas from our Champion Services heating experts for saving money and staying warm this winter.

Read on or simply give us a call and speak to one of our Evanston HVAC or Ogden HVAC experts!

Insulate Windows and Doors

If you have older doors and windows, it might be worth your while to replace them. Yes, this is expensive, but newer doors and windows are designed to keep more of your hot air inside, where you want it this winter.

If that’s not the right option for you, you can still stop heat loss through your doors and windows. You can buy a home insulation kit from your local hardware store. These have a film that you stick to your windows to help keep the cold air outside, where it belongs. They also keep hot air out in the summer.

Use Your Thermostat Wisely

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one today. You can even get a smart thermostat, which you can control with your mobile phone. Either way, you’ll have more control over how your home’s heater works this winter.

Instead of blasting the heat all day just so the house will be warm when everyone gets home at night, you can set the house to cool down during the day, then warm up again right before you get there.

You can also turn the temperature down at night. Most people prefer to sleep between 60 and 65 degrees, which is a lot cooler than most houses are at night, even in the winter. A programmable thermostat allows you to control this effortlessly and some let you make changes from your phone if your plans change.

Get a More Efficient Furnace

If you’re serious about energy efficiency, invest in a new furnace. The newest models are highly efficient – much more so than older ones are. We can help you find the best Evanston furnace or Ogden furnace for your home, making sure it has both the power and the efficiency that you need.

Sure, a new furnace is expensive. However, if you need one anyway, it’s a great way to save money on heating costs this winter and through many winters to come.

Professional Help form Local Heating Experts

Call us at Champion Services for more tips on saving money this winter or to get your new furnace today!

christmas tree and presents next to fireplace

Now that the cold has officially swept in and we’re dealing with some seriously frigid temperatures and snowfall in Wyoming, it’s more important than ever that your heating system is running smoothly and effectively. This is especially true for the holidays as you celebrate together as a family. The last thing anyone needs is for a freezing Christmas dinner or over-heated kitchen.

Luckily, your trusted Evanston HVAC company and Ogden HVAC company is here to help ring in the season with unmatched heating services. On top of our quality services, though, we also want to take some time to offer some of our pro heating tips for this holiday season. Read on for our top 10 holiday heating tips to keep you and your guests comfortable, or simply give us a call!

1. Check and Change your HVAC Filter Before Guests Arrive 

Make sure you check your furnace filters once a month. If they become too dirty, they will begin to obstruct the airflow. Not only will this compromise the air quality in your home, it will make it more difficult to heat your home properly. It will also cause your energy costs to go up. 

On top of that, these obstructions can make for some unpleasant temperatures for your holiday celebrations. Checking and changing your filter on a regular basis — and right before your guests arrive — will help ensure that everyone is comfy and cozy.

2. Keep the Oven Closed

We know you want to check on those Christmas yams and fresh-baked dinner rolls and maybe get a whiff of that delicious aroma, but every time you open the oven door the oven’s temperature drops as much as 25 degrees. Resist checking whatever it is you happen to be baking long before you know that it’ll be done. And if you do need to check it, simply turn the oven light on and look through the window.

More than that, it can be helpful to cook as much as possible ahead of time to avoid heating up the house unnecessarily. That kitchen can heat up quickly when the oven’s roaring, the stovetops are full blast, and a bunch of people are crowding around. That’s a fast route to some uncomfortable levels of heat! Keep the temps in the ideal range by planning ahead.

3. Use Ceiling Fans

Most ceiling fans have a “reverse” setting that will push the rising warm air back down to ground level. This helps to maximize the heat generated from the heater. Ceiling fans also help circulate the air, keeping a more even temperature.

4. Remove Clutter From Around Your Furnace

Many people will use the area around the furnace as storage space. Once you begin using your furnace again, you should clear the area around it. Otherwise, you may have a fire hazard on your hands — especially if there are combustible items nearby. Besides, you don’t want to have a bunch of clutter around these areas once the guests come over. Not only will removing the clutter keep your furnace running effectively and keep your home safe from fire hazards, it will also keep things tidy for your holiday get-together.

5. Keep the Fireplace Clear

There’s nothing more iconic for the holidays than the family gathered ‘round the fireplace, dressed in warm clothes, and sipping some hot chocolate (preferably with marshmallows). But, just as you want to maintain a clear space around your furnace, you will want to keep the area around the fireplace clean if you want to have a safe and warm gathering around the hearth. 

If you decide to light a fire to make your living room even warmer and cozier, make sure that you don’t have anything flammable nearby, such as furniture, rugs, drapes, or holiday trees. It’s also a good idea to have the fireplace swept and cleaned by professionals on a regular basis. After that, pour yourself some hot chocolate, put on those fuzzy socks, and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace!

6. Keep an Eye on the Blinds

Keeping your blinds and curtains closed at night will keep cold air from penetrating through your windows while also helping to keep warm air trapped inside. On the flip side, it’s a good idea to keep your blinds and curtains open during the day to let sunlight in, which will assist in warming up your home and giving your furnace a helping hand.

7. Insulate Your Attic

It can be a huge money saver to insulate your attic. This will also help make sure your home’s heat doesn’t escape your house when temperatures drop during the holidays. This will help keep heat trapped inside your home, allowing you and your guests to keep warm and comfortable — all while going easy on your wallet.

8. Seal the Windows

If you feel a cold draft near any of your windows, it means that there are air leaks. You should use a sealant to eliminate these air leaks, thereby preventing cold air from leaking in. A professional can do this for you as well. Locking your windows will also help create a tighter seal around your windows to keep in the warm air. It will also help prevent guests from cracking a window when you’re not looking!

9. Consider a Whole-Home Humidifier

A whole-home humidifier will help retain heat so you can set your thermostat lower and make your home more comfortable. A humidifier will help eliminate dry air and reduce static electricity — ensuring your holiday guests remain comfortable.

10. Get Professional Inspections

A professional inspection will reveal any potential issues with your heating systems before they turn into more severe problems. An inspector will also clean and lubricate parts of your heating systems as needed to help ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible.

You don’t want your heating systems breaking down in the middle of a family meal, nor do you want your heating systems working so inefficiently that your heating bills are astronomical. Have your HVAC system inspected before the holidays hit so you can deal with any heating repair issues before they become extra costly.

Contact Champion Services

The holidays are the worst time of the year for your heat to go out! Start your holiday season with regular maintenance on your heating system and take care of repairs as soon as you notice the warning signs. This will help to ensure your heating system is working properly before guests arrive.

Remember that the experts at Champion Services are here for you all season long. If your heating system is on the fritz, contact Champion Services to schedule an appointment today!

house in winter

Even though your heating system in Ogden or Evanston is designed to keep you warm no matter how cold it gets outside and your outdoor AC unit can handle most weather, extreme cold can cause problems with both parts of your HVAC system.

There are a few things you can do to keep your Ogden or Evanston heating and cooling system running well, no matter how low the temps fall!

Read on to learn what those are, or simply give us a call and speak to one of our Evanston or Ogden HVAC experts!

Fill in Gaps Where Air Escapes

Your heater may struggle in extreme cold because it simply cannot run all the time. Save it from having to do this by filling in any gaps where that hot air can escape your home. These are most often found around your windows and doors, though some homes have other cracks where air exchange occurs. Fill these with caulk or other filler that you can find at your local hardware store.

Be Ready to Turn Your Thermostat Down

Sure, you don’t really want it any colder in your home, but turning down the thermostat just a couple of degrees can alleviate some of the strain on your heater when it’s extremely cold outside. You likely won’t notice much of a difference, but your furnace won’t have to work as long or as hard to keep you warm.

Cover Any Outdoor Units

Put a weather-resistant cover over your outdoor AC unit. Once you’re sure you won’t be using it anymore for the season, covering it protects it from wind, rain, snow, and more. All of these covers provide some insulation for the unit, and some of them are specifically designed to protect from cold, too. This can help prevent water from entering the unit, then freezing and doing damage while it’s there.

Use Additional Heating Methods If Necessary

If your heater is struggling but you’re still too cold at home, try using a space heater. These heat a small area very effectively. As long as you don’t need your whole house to be toasty warm, you can save wear and tear on your heater by turning it down and still getting the heat you need to be comfortable.

Call for Heating Services in Evanston WY or Ogden UT

Whether you need help with your heater in Evanston, WY, or your furnace in Ogden, UT this winter, call our team at Champion Services right away. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep you and your family warm this winter. Make your appointment now and stop worrying about your heater!

furnace installation odgen ut

Are you considering changing out the type of heater you use in Evanston, WY, or Ogden, UT? At Champion Services, we can help you choose between furnaces and boilers, then install the system that best fits your needs.

Here’s what you should know when you’re trying to decide between a furnace and a boiler for your home’s heating system.

What is a Furnace?

In a furnace, air is forced over a series of heat exchangers before large fans blow it through your ducts. It enters rooms via heat registers, where it warms the air in the room and, eventually, your entire home.

Installing a furnace in Ogden will usually cost less than a boiler upfront, unless you also need to install ductwork, which can get very expensive. When you use a furnace, you usually have to heat the whole house at once, rather than just the rooms you’re living in. The air they blow is dry because of the heating system, but it will never freeze up on you.

Most furnaces don’t last as long as the average boiler and they may need more frequent repairs, too. They require filter changes every one to three months and you may need to install a separate humidifier to handle the dry air problems they can give you.

What is a Boiler?

Boilers circulate heated water throughout your home in radiators. The heated water is stored in a tank. It needs to be warm enough that it will rapidly heat enough air in each room to raise the temperature there.

While boilers in Ogden and Evanston, WY are more expensive to install, they make up for this by lasting longer and requiring fewer repairs than furnaces do. They usually allow you to only heat part of your home if you wish, and they are more energy efficient than the average furnace.

On the downside, boilers take a long time to heat a home and can add so much humidity that you need a dehumidifier to counteract it. If they break, boilers can cause major water damage, and the whole unit can freeze if exposed to very low temperatures.

Which Should You Choose?

You need to choose the heating system that best suits your needs. Our Evanston and Ogden heating service experts can take a look at your home and let you know what we recommend. We can also install either system in any house, no matter how extensive the work that needs to be done. Call to get your new heater today!

As the weather starts to cool, it’s a good time to think about heater maintenance in Evanston, WY and Ogden, UT. That way, you can prepare your heater for winter before you actually need to use it and you can make sure you and your family will be able to stay warm this year. Not sure if you’re ready to invest in your heating in Ogden or Evanston? Here are the benefits you can reap if you choose to do so.

heating Ogden UT

It’s Good for the Planet

When our team maintains your heater in Ogden or Evanston, we make it work more efficiently. This means that it doesn’t require as much energy to produce the same amount (or sometimes more!) of heat. When your heater uses less energy, it’s good for the planet since energy is a resource we don’t want to waste. No matter what kind of energy your heater uses, it’s better for the planet to use less of it.

It’s Good for Your Wallet

When your heater is working efficiently and using less energy, your bills will be lower. The heater simply won’t need as much energy to keep you warm, so your overall usage will go down and you’ll spend less on energy costs every month. These might be small on a month-to-month basis, but these savings add up over the course of years and years.

It Makes Your Heater Last Longer

Heaters that work efficiently last longer. Efficient heaters experience less wear and tear, so they don’t break down as quickly. Sure, there’s no way to guarantee that your heater will last for a long time, but taking care of it certainly isn’t going to make its lifespan shorter and could make it quite a bit longer.

It Keeps You Warmer

When you maintain your heater, it may keep you warm all winter long. This could happen in a couple of ways. First of all, efficient heaters can produce more heat. This makes it easier for your heater to keep up no matter how cold it is outside. Secondly, more available warm air means that you may not have specific rooms that stay cold no matter what. This extra warm air will heat them, too!

Your Heating Company in Ogden, UT

When it’s time for your next heater maintenance in Ogden, UT or Evanston, WY, call us at Champion Services. We’ll get there fast and get your heater working again soon! Whether you need us to work on your furnace in Odgen or your furnace in Evanston, our experts can handle it. Rely on us to be your heating company in Ogden, UT or Evanston, WY.

man wearing winter jacket inside because heater is broken in rock springs

Many homeowners spend a large part of the winter worried about heater repair in Evanston. However, you don’t have to be intimidated by the potential for problems with your furnace. Many repairs are straightforward to deal with.

If you’re not sure what furnace repairs you need, call us at Champion Services. We’ll send an Evanston HVAC professional to your home to help you get your heater working again quickly.

Furnace Filter Problems

When your air filter gets dirty, your furnace has to work harder and harder to get the air that it needs to heat so your home can stay warm. If the furnace can’t get enough air, it won’t pump enough heat into your home to keep you warm! Change your filter at least once a year (and preferably every 3 months) so your furnace doesn’t have to overwork itself. This can extend its lifespan and help it heat your home more effectively.

Get a New Thermostat

If the temperature in your home fluctuates a lot or your heater is turning off and on rapidly, the problem might actually be with your thermostat. It might be located in the wrong place or just not communicating well with your furnace. Either way, getting a new thermostat can solve the problem. While you’re at it, it might be time to upgrade to a smart thermostat so you can save money and monitor how you use energy.

Clean the Air Ducts

If the air that your furnace pumps out can’t circulate throughout your home, it can’t help you stay warm. When you suspect that dust and debris are keeping the warm air from getting to you, call us for a professional duct cleaning. We’ll get the debris out so your hot air can flow freely once again while improving your indoor air quality at the same time!

Clear Out the Vents

Just as debris in your air ducts can cause problems, debris blocking your furnace vents can keep your heater from working effectively, too. You can always install a mesh screen over the vents where they lead to the outside of your house, but you’ll need to clean these screens, too.

Fix the Pilot Light

If the pilot light on your furnace isn’t working well, your furnace won’t be able to heat your home effectively. On gas furnaces, the pilot light should always burn blue. This indicates that it is getting plenty of oxygen. If it looks yellow, there’s an oxygen restriction somewhere. This may not seem like a big problem but it can become a fire hazard under the right circumstances. You may have a dirty air intake valve or need a different furnace repair to fix the problem.

Double Check All Switches and Breakers

If the furnace isn’t working, check to make sure it’s turned on before you call us for heater repair. Most furnaces have a wall switch nearby the unit. If it accidentally gets hit, your furnace won’t work. You can also check your circuit breakers to make sure they didn’t get flipped, or you can reach out to our Evanston electricians to check things for you. Some furnaces have a switch inside the front panel that covers the blower motor. If the panel isn’t inserted properly, the unit won’t run.

Help from Evanston HVAC Pros!

At Champion Services, we would be happy to come help you with any of these issues or find other problems with your Evanston HVAC system and fix them. We’ll get to work fast so you can get warm again soon! Give us a call or schedule an appointment today!

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