Replacing Boilers With Heat Pumps Could Prevent 77,000 Deaths, Cut $1.1 Trillion Costs By 2050

As cooler weather approaches, homeowners are advised to prepare their heating systems to avoid costly breakdowns and inefficiencies. Jason Haberkorn, a heating and cooling technician, recommends professional furnace maintenance, including checking key components and replacing filters to ensure proper airflow and prevent motor damage. Drafts in homes can waste energy, and simple tests and fixes like caulking or draft guards can reduce heat loss. Research from the American Lung Association highlights the health and economic benefits of switching industrial heat sources to electric heat pumps, which reduce harmful pollutants and related health issues. Meanwhile, energy experts in the UK debunk common heating myths, emphasizing that it is more efficient to heat homes only when necessary, use programmable thermostats, avoid shutting vents in unused rooms, and understand that higher thermostat settings do not heat homes faster but increase costs. Simple measures such as lowering temperatures in unused rooms and improving window insulation are recommended to manage energy bills effectively this winter.