Are you tired of seeing your heating bills go up every winter? Then do something about it! While it’s almost inevitable that your energy expenses will rise somewhat during the wintertime, as this is the season of peak heater use, you should not have to settle for out of control energy bills just to stay warm.
Keep reading for the top five ways you can save money on heating costs, and remember that EnviroSafe Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Water Treatment is available 24/7 for all your South Jersey HVAC needs.
5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Heating Bills
- Don’t run the heater when no one is home
- Turn down your thermostat
- Replace your furnace filters
- Seal up gaps, cracks and holes
- Call a heating service professional when a problem occurs
1. Don’t Run The Heater When No One Is Home
In the summer, when your AC use is increased, it is actually a good idea to keep your unit running when you leave for work, as your system will only have to work harder to cool your space if you turn it on when you return.
However, leaving your heating system on when you go out for the day is likely to jack up your energy bills a ridiculous level. Moreover, letting your heating system run while you are gone is not likely to create an ideal temperature in your space—in fact, it may end up overheating your home to an unsafe level.
Ideally, you should program your heater to kick in several minutes before you get back to your house. This brings us to our second point…
2. Turn Down Your Thermostat
Intuitively, you might assume that your thermostat temperature should go up when it gets cold out and down when it gets warm out. And yet, just the opposite is true. The ideal thermostat setting for winter is at least 68 degrees, if not lower. In the summer, conversely, you may want to turn your thermostat up as high as 78 degrees (especially if you leave your AC on when you leave for work for the day).
Making these adjustments will help to offset your overall heating and cooling costs and create more even temperatures throughout your home.
You may also want to consider purchasing a programmable/smart thermostat to make achieving the ideal temperature easier. Today’s cutting-edge, wireless thermostats can be controlled remotely, and even come with learning capabilities so they can adjust your temperature settings for you.
3. Replace Your Furnace Filters
If you have a furnace or another type of heating system that uses air filters, you should get your unit’s filters replaced as soon as it starts to get cold out. A dirty filter will not only affect your indoor air quality, it will also force your system to work harder, meaning higher heating bills overall.
If you do not have a furnace or another piece of HVAC equipment that uses air ducts, it is possible that your heating system does not have replaceable filters. For ductless HVAC systems, it is more common to have reusable filters, which can be cleaned again and again until they wear out. If your system does not provide notifications of when it is time to replace the filter, try to do this at the beginning of each season.
4. Seal Up Gaps
Every year, homes across the United States lose roughly 20-30% of the heat generated by their HVAC systems to cracks and holes. This equates to a ridiculous amount of money wasted on heating expenses for homeowners. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent air from escaping through gaps in your house.
Start by calling a professional to inspect your ductwork, and see if that’s where the air is getting out. You may be able to benefit from having new ductwork installed if this is affecting your energy bills. You should also have a professional look at your insulation, as insufficient insulation in your attic or the rest of your home will force your HVAC system to work much harder, meaning higher heating costs for you.
You can also weather-strip windows and doors, as this is where a lot of air loss occurs—in fact, even making sure that your windows are not just closed, but locked, can help seal in valuable hot air and prevent cold air getting in.
5. Call A Professional When A Problem Occurs
At EnviroSafe Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Water Treatment, we know firsthand that waiting to call for heating service is not only dangerous, but costly. Look out for strange smells or noises coming from your heating system, cold spots and uneven airflow throughout your house, as well as increasing utility bills.
South Jersey Heating Experts Ready To Help!
Calling for a heating repair in South Jersey sooner rather than later can prevent you from having to replace your heating system entirely. And of course, scheduling seasonal heating maintenance in South Jersey is a great way to ensure your heater always functions at peak efficiency when you need it most. Reach out to EnviroSafe Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Water Treatment today!
Replacing your fill valve is actually a simple project, and there’s a good chance you can complete it yourself with little to no experience and nothing more than a few basic tools which you probably already own. On this blog, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to replace your fill valve and even some helpful tips to make this job easier than you may have ever thought possible. If you have any questions or need help, reach out to our expert South Jersey plumbers!
