Power bills tend to skyrocket during the cold winter months trying to keep the house nice and warm. Every time the door opens, a part of the indoor heat escapes outside, and the cold air seeps in. There are times when it feels like a losing battle. And when someone tells you to lower the temperature to reduce the power bills, the first thought that strikes you is, “Are you crazy?”. Well, they are not wrong in advising that, for lowering the temperature will definitely bring down the energy consumption in your home. Consequently, the monthly power bill will also reduce. The key here is, however, that tweaking the temperature setting also is not the complete solution. There are some other things that you will have to do. So today, we will discuss five free or low-cost heating tips that can lower your monthly bills.
5 Heating Tips To Lower Bills
1. Invest In A Programmable Thermostat – A programmable thermostat gives the homeowner the freedom to set different temperature settings for different times of the day and days of the week. Essentially, when you are in the office or away from home, you can set a lower temperature for that duration. When it is time for you to come back home, the heat can be cranked up to the desired level through a programmable thermostat. The best thing is that once the program is set, there is no need for manual intervention. The thermostat will automatically take care of it all. Now coming to the cost factor. A programmable thermostat can cost anywhere between $20 to $150. Depending on your budget, you can buy one that is not very expensive and yet does the work admirably.
2. Wear A Sweater Or A Sweatshirt Indoors – Many people shy away from wearing an extra layer of clothing indoors. Seldom do they realize that this practice makes their heating system work longer and harder. There is no written rule that you should not wear warm clothes indoors. Neither is there a rule against taking a blanket while sleeping. Both practices will allow you to lower the temperature accordingly. You will still be comfortable with an extra layer of light woolen clothing, and the power consumption by the heating system will also come down. It’s a win-win situation where nobody suffers, and yet the utility bills come down.
3. Seal The Windows – Some of the warmth that your heating system helps build indoors is lost through windows that are not adequately sealed. If all sources of the leak are sealed, there will be minimal loss of heat. You have two choices – seal all the places causing a draft yourself, or call somebody to do it for you. With a whole horde of products available in the hardware stores, like a spool of sticky rubber insulation, etc., one can easily do it as a DIY activity. However, if you are not sure of doing a decent job, it is best to call in the professionals. Additionally, thick curtains covering the windows will also help reduce the draft.
4. Clean The Radiators And Vents – There are many homeowners who conveniently forget the importance of keeping the radiators and vents clean. Removing all obstructions in the form of furniture unknowingly placed in front of the vents and removal of dust and debris from the radiators will allow the air to flow unhindered. When the air is able to flow without any impediment, the unit performs optimally, keeping the power consumption on the lower side. If you see the annual maintenance of the furnace, these things will be taken care of during the ac tune-up.
5. Regularly Change The Air Filters – One important yet simple maintenance tip is to change the air filters. Ideally, these should be switched every month. However, if for some reason that is not possible, change them at least once every quarter. Essentially clean air filters mean that the system does not have to operate under stress as the airflow is smooth and unobstructed. Failing to change the air filters will make it difficult for your system to breathe. A system that is unable to breathe properly cannot work efficiently. It starts consuming more and more power, and consequently, there is a significant rise in the monthly bills.
Other Heating Tips To Lower Bills
Some other ways in which you can lower your utility bills in relation to heating are:
1. Ensure the annual maintenance of your furnace.
2. Use good insulation in the attic, basement, and garage.
3. Turn down the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. All places where pipes pass through the walls, floor, or ceiling should be sealed.
5. Electrical outlets that are installed on the walls, too, could be the cause of energy loss due to improper insulation.
6. Invest in double pane glass for your windows.
7. Sometimes using a humidifier can also increase the warmth indoors without adding to the heating bills.
8. Refrain from opening the doors and windows unnecessarily as every time you do so, a part of the heat built inside is lost.
9. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan so that it pushes the warm air down.
Closing Thoughts
It is not necessary to set a high temperature on the thermostat during the cold winter months to keep warm and comfortable. The fact remains, what is important to you, bringing down the monthly bills or being comfortable without doing anything? Sometimes doing a little bit can offer astounding savings. There is no harm in trying out the above-mentioned heating tips. You might just be pleasantly surprised and your pockets happy.
At Aztil Air Conditioning, we take immense pride in helping you save on your heating bills. You can contact us at any time to discuss the options further. If you live in West Palm Beach, Florida, and your HVAC needs installation, repair, or maintenance, give us a call at +1-888-729-8452. Our air experts will promptly take care of your unit.
