Making sure your HVAC is regularly maintained is one of the best ways to keep your heating bills as efficient as possible. Here are 10 tips you can use to keep your home comfortable without burning money.
1. Sun’s Hot Even in Cold. There could be piles of snow on the ground but when the sun’s out, it’s still giving off plenty of heat. Open the curtains on your south-facing windows during winter days to bring free heat into your home. Close your window coverings when the sun goes down to keep the heat inside.
2. Layers of Cozy. This is one of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill. Instead of turning the heat up, put on a cozy winter sweater and warm socks. Keep throw blankets on your couch, and add an area rug to insulate the floor.
3. Ceiling Fans aren’t Just for Summer. Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months. If you have ceiling fans, use them strategically to achieve better airflow: counter-clockwise will push hot air up in the summer and clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down.
4. 10 to 15 Below. You can save about 10 percent per year on your heating bills by turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Consider switching to flannel sheets and a warm comforter for your bed and keeping your house cooler when you sleep.
5. No Guests, No Heat! If you have rooms that you never use, such as guest rooms or large storage areas, close and seal off the vents in those rooms to direct the flow of air to the rooms you use most. You also can be more energy efficient by making sure the windows and doors in each room have enough weather stripping to keep drafts out when closed.
6. Give Your Furnace Love. Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will reduce energy consumption and help you save. Check your furnace filter monthly, and replace it when it gets dirty.
8. Keep Cold Out, Heat In. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs are lost each year due to escaping heat and cold air in homes without proper insulation. Get some inexpensive insulation from your local home improvement store, and cover up all those areas where heat might escape.
9. Use LED Lights to Decorate: Buy new LED lights, which use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than older, incandescent lighting. In addition to consuming less energy, LED lights don’t emit as much heat and are more resistant to breakage, making them a safer alternative. If you’re using string lights to decorate throughout the year, remember, as with all appliances and electronics, lights continue to draw power even when not in use, which adds unnecessary expense to utility bills.
10. Only use exhaust fans when necessary. Exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling out of your house. Use exhaust fans sparingly, and shut them off when you are done with them.
Make sure you’re scheduling your regular maintenance of your HVAC unit. Just give us a call!
