10 Ways To Save Money On Your Heating Bills This Winter

There are many simple steps you can take that will make your Tallahassee area home a cozier place to be, while also reducing the heating bills that can skyrocket once winter arrives.

Listed below are some great tips we give our customers to help save money each cool season.

Check your vents:

The vents for your HVAC system are located around your home- make sure they are dusted and clean, and far away from debris. Things like rugs and couches won’t only block airflow but can also lead to a house fire. Keep vents open to circulate more air through your home.  Do NOT close vents in unused rooms. Your furnace is designed and installed to maintain a balanced airflow through your home. By closing air vents, you are throwing off the balance, and it ends up not having an effect on your energy bill.

Have a regular service performed on your system:

A regular service will ensure your system runs efficiently, keeping your energy bills generally consistent. Your HVAC system should run for 10+ years, so making sure that it isn’t being overworked can save you thousands of dollars over its lifespan. This will also help your system last longer, and avoid costly repairs and breakdowns.

Put your ceiling fans on low speed:

When it’s cold out, you want to keep the warm air that naturally rises down. The fan will pull the cooler air up, and allow the warm air to stay down. Don’t have your fans on too high though or it can cause a breeze and just make you feel chillier! Keeping your air circulating can also combat humidity.

Change your filters regularly:

By changing your air filters regularly, you’ll not only reduce dust and allergens circulating through your home, but you’ll help your system run more efficiently, as well as saving money on costly repairs. This could be as much as a 20% savings in your expenses.

Set the temperature of your water heater at 120 degrees:

The EPA estimates that water heaters set at 140 degrees or higher waste between $36 and $61 dollars annually in standby losses and up to $400 in bringing fresh water up to temperature. That’s a sufficient amount of money! Also consider a tankless hot water heater that provides hot water on demand, while also saving money by not keeping a tank of water hot all the time.

Insulation and sealing leaks:

Inexpensive expanding foam and caulk can be your best friends. By sealing small cracks where warm or cold air escapes, especially around windows and doors, and where your foundation meets the frame of the house, and where pipes enter the house can make a big difference in the passive energy loss in your home. Proper insulation can save up to 20% on your energy bills!

A programmable or a smart thermostat can be a wise investment:

Making sure you’re not wasting energy heating and cooling areas when people aren’t home can lead to big savings very quickly! This could reduce bills by an average of 10%. A recent study also showed smart thermostats are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Good for your wallet and the environment!

Switch to LED bulbs:

New LED bulbs don’t heat up like old fluorescent bulbs and are now available in soft white, emitting pleasant rather than glaring bright light.

Upgrade appliances and HVAC systems when the time comes:

HVAC systems are expensive to replace, but they are investments. Newer systems are so much more efficient than older systems. New systems can be zoned, to provide a more personalized heating and cooling to different areas of your home, allowing you to only heat or cool the areas most in use.

Open your curtains and let the sun in:

An easy way to get a little more heat into your house is by letting the natural light from the sun in. Opening your shades during the day and allowing sunlight to stream into your home will raise the temperature a few degrees, making it an easier job for your heating system, therefore reducing your energy bills!

Saving money on your energy bills doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Making small changes in your home can result in energy savings and a much more comfortable home.! Make sure you have good insulation in your home, and keep on top of good air circulation, and your bank account will thank you!

Contact Us

If you have any questions about your home comfort needs, how you can become more energy-efficient, or anything HVAC related, please give us a call at 850-688-0562, or visit our website www.johnjoneshvac.com