The colder months are moving in. With the rising costs across the board in our households, you are looking for any way you can cut costs. Here’s a practical guide to saving on heating costs this winter while keeping your home cozy. Many of these strategies require just a small investment or even a little creativity, and they can add up to substantial savings.
Seal and Insulate Your Home
All of those little cracks not only let the heat escape, but they also let the cold air in. Follow these steps to make a barrier keeping the indoor air in and the outdoor air exactly there–outside!
- Check for Air Leaks: Drafts around windows, doors, and other openings are major sources of heat loss. Apply weather stripping or caulk around frames, baseboards, and electrical outlets to seal these leaks.
- Insulate Attics and Basements: Heat rises, so attics are one of the largest sources of heat loss. Adding insulation here (as well as in walls and floors if possible) will help keep the heat in, making your system work less.
- Use Heavy Curtains: Thick, insulated curtains over windows add a layer of insulation to prevent heat from escaping. Open them during sunny days to let in natural warmth and close them at night to keep the warmth inside.
For a more detailed look at insulating your home, the Department of Energy has a more detailed list.
Adjust Thermostat Settings Wisely
Many people adjust their thermostat. Do you adjust it enough? Or do you remember to always do this? There are guidelines to follow and programmable thermostats to ease this process.
- Invest in a Programmable Thermostat: Set your thermostat lower when you’re asleep or away from home. Lowering the temperature by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can reduce heating bills by up to 10%.
- Use Zoning: Close vents or doors in rooms you rarely use to direct warmth to the areas where it’s most needed. This allows for a lower overall temperature while keeping your most-used rooms comfortable.
Maintain Your Heating System
Maintenance helps all appliances and systems last long and run smoother, this is no different with your heating and cooling systems.
- Clean or Replace Filters Regularly: Dirty filters make heating systems work harder, which drives up energy use and costs. Aim to check and replace filters every month during the winter.
- Service Your Furnace: Annual servicing helps ensure that it’s running at peak efficiency, and professional technicians can catch issues that could cause inefficiency or breakdowns.
Embrace Natural Heating Techniques
- Use Rugs on Hardwood Floors: Carpets and rugs add an extra layer of insulation on floors, making a room feel warmer without cranking up the heat.
- Bake and Cook More Often: The heat from your oven will add warmth to your home, especially if you keep the oven door open for a short time after baking to let the heat escape into your kitchen. This said, do not use an oven to heat your house.
Use Portable Heaters and Heating Pads
When you are only using a single room or small space, you may not want to heat your whole house. Here are some great products on the market to help you heat just the space you need more affordably:
- Utilize Space Heaters in Small, Frequently Used Areas: Space heaters are energy-efficient if used sparingly in occupied rooms. This lets you keep the thermostat lower without compromising comfort.
- Electric Blankets or Heating Pads: For bedtime warmth without raising the thermostat, electric blankets or heating pads are affordable options.
Rearrange Furniture
You cannot optimally heat a room if your vents and radiators are blocked by furniture. Be sure to allow proper clearance so that the warm air can circulate around the room.
Harness Humidity
Humid air feels warmer than dry air. A humidifier can make a room feel cozier and help you maintain a comfortable temperature with lower thermostat settings. More humid air can also feel better to your nose and throat as well as skin.
We at Full Comfort Heating and Air want to help you maintain your HVAC units so that they will last long. We are happy to provide tips on optimizing your unit to reduce electric and gas costs. Please reach out to us to schedule a routine maintenance or help you with any repair issues.
