I had just recently been hired at a new job when the coronavirus forced my company to make some big changes.
I was extremely worried about getting fired or laid off.
Instead, this whole thing has worked out to my benefit. I’m now working from home, and I absolutely love it. I have set up a home office and typically spend the day in my pajamas. I no longer need to make the commute and deal with traffic. For lunch, I just grab something out of my refrigerator. However, instead of lowering the thermostat setting when I leave in the morning, I’m relying a lot more on the furnace. The weather in my local area is still cold and snowy. We have yet to get above forty degrees. With the furnace operating just about non stop, my monthly energy bills are a lot higher. I’m convinced the furnace isn’t running at peak efficiency. Although I made sure to change the air filter, I think there’s most likely a build up of dust and other contaminants within the inner workings. Even a slight accumulation restricts airflow and leads to longer running times, greater wear and tear, and an increase in energy consumption. There’s a larger impact on the environment, more risk of malfunction and the furnace might be spreading allergens into the breathing air every time it starts up. I am debating on whether or not to hire an HVAC contractor for service. I know that professional maintenance would improve the overall performance and efficiency of the furnace. However, I’m reluctant to have an HVAC contractor inside the house when I’m trying to maintain social distancing.