5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Heating Bill in Check
We still haven’t been able to escape the cold, winter weather. Which means, many homeowners will be turning up the heat on their thermostats before thinking about how much money they are burning on heating costs. We don’t want you to lose sleep with frozen toes, but we also don’t want your furnace to work through the night heating your home.
To combat high utility bills and avoid being left in the cold, we have six simple ways to keep your home warm, while keeping your heating bill in check.
Seize the Day
When the sun is out, your blinds should be open. This is especially important for windows that face the sun. Open blinds and curtains to let the sun shine in and take advantage of the “free heat”.
Get Low
Your thermostat is the caretaker of your home’s temperature. But, if left to it’s own devices, it can end up costing you money. It may seem crazy, but by lowering your home’s temperature by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours each day, you can save as much as 10 percent on annual utility costs.
Make the switch while you are at work, or away from home for the day. Throw on an extra layer, if you get cold, because even turning up the thermostat by as little as one single degree will lead to an expensive heating bill at the end of the month.
Rock Down to Electric Avenue
If you can’t imagine trying to fall asleep when your home is cooler than 80 degrees, you are a prime candidate for an electric blanket. Many products are energy-efficient and can improve your quality of sleep, while keeping your thermostat lower at night. We recommend turning on the blanket and putting it on top of your bed for several minutes. When bedtime arrives, turn off the blanket, get into bed and enjoy the warmth as you drift off to sleep.
Turn On, Tune-Up
Regular maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your furnace. We recommend scheduling furnace checks once or twice per year. Even a small tune-up, like a cleaning or instrument adjustment, can really make a difference in performance and overall efficiency. By scheduling a regular appointment, you have a better chance of finding a small problem, before it becomes an expensive repair.
Seal of Approval
Home thresholds are notorious for being drafty. An easy way to keep treated air inside your home is to seal up any drafts. Spray foam insulation, weather stripping replacements, and draft stoppers that can be placed under doors are great ways to keep treated air in and keep your bills low.
For more energy saving tips and answers to common HVAC questions, visit our YouTube channel. If you would like to schedule a maintenance appointment, or if you have any questions, please contact us at 800-994-2577.