Every winter, homeowners are faced with increased utility bills. This is because heating takes up almost half of an average energy bill.
Most homeowners assume that the only way to reduce their heating bill is by lowering the temperature and turning off the furnace at night. However, there are various other steps homeowners can take to reduce their energy bills in winter and remain warm and cozy.
Here are six essential home heating tips to help you stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.
HVAC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance is among the easiest ways to ensure the furnace works efficiently. This includes checking and changing the air filters once a month. Additionally, check the duct dampers and clean the registers.
Proper maintenance frees the heating unit from dust, soot, and corrosion.
INVEST IN A SMART THERMOSTAT
Getting a smart or programmable thermostat lets homeowners adjust the indoor temperature. Doing this can reduce the heating bill by as much as 10% annually. Smart thermostats are also handy because they allow homeowners to program them to increase or decrease the temperature during different times.
To reduce the heating bill, lower the temperature by 10 degrees when nobody is home or at night when everyone’s sleeping.
CHECK FOR DRAFTS
This step is easy, and anyone can do it. Believe it or not, drafts can be responsible for about 20% of the heating bill. Homeowners might not even know they have a draft issue, only that their heating bills are so high.
Go around the house and pay close attention to the doors and windows. The weatherstripping might need replacing. There could also be a draft coming from the fireplace. To prevent this, close the fireplace flue when it’s not in use.
OPEN THE CURTAINS ALL THE WAY
This is another simple task anyone can do. Open the curtains during the day to ensure a home stays warm and receives as much natural light as possible. Remove any window covers as well, like window blinds. At night, when temperatures drop, close the curtains and the blinds.
Another option is to invest in energy-saving window covers.
RESET THE WATER HEATER THERMOSTAT
Most homeowners don’t know that their water heater consumes a lot of energy in the house. This is because it always works, even when no one uses it. A great way to reduce energy bills is resetting the water heater thermostat. Reducing the temperature by two or three degrees will make a difference in the total energy consumption.
INSULATE YOUR HOME
The last heating tip is insulation. Even though insulating the entire house is a massive project that costs a lot of money, it pays off in the long run. Insulation is also the best way to keep a home warm in winter and cool in summer.
MAKE YOUR HOME AS WARM AS POSSIBLE
There are many ways homeowners can stay warm in winter without increasing the energy bill. Taking specific steps, like eliminating drafts or programming the thermostat, can even reduce the monthly energy bill.
If you’re experiencing issues with the heating system, the best solution is to hire a professional HVAC technician.
Hacienda Air is a locally owned HVAC company offering air conditioning, heating, ductwork, air quality, and more to residential and commercial customers in North Las Vegas, Summerlin, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (702) 707-4953.
