Contrary to popular belief, receiving a heating bill during winter doesn't have to be a traumatic experience. Moreover, what if we told you there are many ways to save money on your heating costs without heat loss?
What's the catch? There's none. You can achieve that by implementing a few simple tricks and making a few investments. Their cost, however, might differ depending on your heating system's state.
Still, lowering your heating costs shouldn't cause you any trouble. At least not after you finish reading our tips. Therefore, without further ado, we present you the guide to lowering your winter heating bills.
We hope it will help you save money on energy costs and make your winter even more enjoyable.
Service Your Heating System
The first thing you need to do is make sure your heating system is in pristine condition. If you notice it may need taking care of, deal with it as soon as possible. There's nothing worse than dealing with a damaged furnace in the middle of the winter.
Make sure you hire professionals like the ones from Air-Temp Solutions, though. You might think that repairing your heating at a low cost is a good idea, but it isn't. The case may be that in order to save on heating, you have to spend some money first.
Aside from the heating, you should also check whether your air filter might require replacing. Many people underestimate this feature and think it's irrelevant, but according to the Department of Energy, replacing a dirty air filter can save you even up to 15 % on your energy bill!
Insulate Your Home Properly
Once you've taken care of your heating, it's time to ensure your home insulation is top-notch. After all, you want to keep your house warm, and you won't be able to ensure that if there are any leaks.
If there are any cracks in your insulation, hot air will escape your home, and cold air will get in. With that in mind, you need to check your doors and windows and ensure there aren't any air leaks.
We recommend you do that a few months before winter to have enough time to seal everything. You can also get yourself special window or door kits. They're plastic covers you can use to increase the insulation at lower costs.
Program the Thermostat
Your thermostat is the brain of the whole heating operation. Keep that in mind and make sure it works properly before the winter comes. That's not all, though. You also need to use your thermostat the right way.
As tempting as it may sound, you shouldn't turn up the temperature every time you feel colder. In fact, sometimes it's best to turn down the thermostat, for instance, during the night.
You can also consider getting yourself a smart thermostat. It will allow you to control your home heating via your smartphone, even when you're on vacation. It may seem like a significant investment, but it will help lower your heating bill.
Reduce Heat Loss From Your Fireplace
A fireplace can be a huge help in keeping your home warm. That is, of course, if you reduce the heat loss from it. Once you do that, your fireplace will become a great addition to your winter heating operation.
And how to take care of that? Well, you can:
- Keep the damper closed unless a fire is burning
- Plug and seal the chimney flue if you don't use your fireplace
- Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system
The only con of a fireplace is that it doesn't heat the whole house, but only the room it's in. However, you can also lower the temperature in that particular room and relocate it somewhere else. You'll need a programmable thermostat for that, though.
Let the Natural Light In
Winter might not be full of sunny days, but every time the sun eventually comes out, we recommend you invite it inside. Open curtains, and let the sunlight shining through your windows do the job.
It's a fantastic and old-fashioned way to heat your home naturally and make it look better. Natural light also has other benefits, especially for your mental and physical well-being.
Don't forget to cover your windows once it gets dark, though. It will keep the warm air inside.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many ways to save yourself money on a heating bill. Implementing them in your house will help you get the most out of your heating system without increasing your energy use.
You can also consider adding weather stripping and space heaters to your strategy. The essential thing to do, though, is ensuring your furnace works correctly and that your insulation keeps warmth inside your home.
Hopefully, our tips will ensure that opening an envelope with your heating bill doesn't send shivers down your spine.
