6 Ways to Lower Heating Costs While Staying Warm
When the weather outside is frightful, your trusty home HVAC system from makes your home delightful. Unfortunately, that comfort can come at a cost and you could get a case of utility bill sticker shock after an especially cold month.
Keeping your home heating costs to a minimum doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of the most effective energy-saving strategies are just simple household chores and good habits.
Our home heating experts have compiled our favourite ways to lower your heating costs below. Give them a try and look for that difference in your next heating bill!
1. Lower the Thermostat
It’s a no brainer, but it still belongs at the top of the list because it’s the simplest way to directly lower your home heating costs. By lowering your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees Farenheit for eight hours per day you can save around 10% a year!
If you lower your thermostat while you’re sleeping or when you’re away at work, you’ll score savings without compromising comfort. Every degree counts.
2. Get Smart
Hand-in-hand with lowering your thermostat is getting technology that makes it easier to do so. With programmable thermostats, or better yet smart thermostats, you can control your home’s temperature from anywhere with a user-friendly smartphone app.
Customize a heating schedule around your routine to start saving energy without being tied to your thermostat.
3. Annual Checkups
When was the last time you had your furnace tuned up? If you’re overdue for this essential maintenance, you should schedule your tune up right away.
A thorough furnace maintenance visit includes several checks and adjustments that can make your furnace run more efficiently, and often makes it possible to catch and repair small problems before they turn into expensive ordeals.
4. Pre-Spring Clean
Keep your home heated more effectively with clean and unobstructed air flow coming from your vents.
To make sure nothing gets in your way, clean these vents routinely to remove dust and other debris. You should also make sure that none of your vents are blocked by furniture or other objects.
5. Dress the Part
Whether you put your sweater collection to good use or prefer to lounge around the house in your warmest PJs, staying comfortable in a cooler home is a simple matter of dressing for the occasion.
When you get the urge to dial the thermostat up a degree, try throwing on another layer instead. If you’re still cold, you may want to adjust the thermostat a bit, but don’t even think about it before putting on an extra layer or snuggling under a blanket first!
6. Free Heat!
The sun gives away heat for free all year long, even during the winter months. So when it’s shining in your home, open the curtains and blinds on sun facing windows to let those warm rays right into your home.
Remember to close them again after sundown to preserve that extra layer of insulation.
Wintertime in Brantford doesn’t have to be so uncomfortable or expensive. If these simple hacks still aren’t giving you the results you really want, contact Crystal Heating & Cooling today to discuss your heating options, including upgrading to Energy Star-certified HVAC equipment.
