Everyone wants to stay warm this winter, but turning on the heat can be costly. Usually, after turning the heat on in your home for the first time, you’ll see a big jump in your utility bills – and it’s not just the heat. With holiday decorations and visitors, you might be spending more money in the winter than you realize. Luckily, the experts at A+ Heating & Cooling – Electrical have some tips for how to save on heating bills this winter.
Seal up leaks and drafts
When your heat kicks on, warm air is transported throughout the house through air ducts. If these ducts are blocked with dust and debris, it makes air harder to move through. If your ducts are leaking, warm air is being wasted. A+ Heating & Cooling – Electrical can inspect, clean, and seal your ducts so all of the warm air is going to the right rooms.
It’s not just your ducts that could be letting heat escape. Drafty windows often contribute to heat loss. Look for shrink-to-fit plastic wrap to seal windows and weather stripping for doors this winter. These inexpensive fixes will make your home feel warmer and reduce moisture buildup in your home.
Keep the blinds open for free sunlight
Keep the blinds open to let light and warmth from the sun inside. At night, close the curtains or blinds to keep the cold air out. Consider blackout curtains at night. During the winter, 10 to 25% of thermal energy goes out the windows, even if they’re closed. Having blackout curtains can curtail this loss by 25%, thus reducing heating bills and greenhouse gases.
Only heat the rooms you’re using
Only heat the rooms you’re using. Seal off the vents in these places to focus your heating consumption in rooms that are actually used by people. If you don’t, you could be spending a lot of money on the heat you never use.
Dress for the weather
Wear pants, socks, and warm clothes during the winter months to keep your thermostat in check. Consider installing a rug to better insulate the floor, and keep throw blankets accessible so you can pick one up anytime you feel cold instead of cranking up the heat.
Switch your ceiling fan’s blade rotation
Ceiling fans don’t always spin in one direction. In fact, you should change the direction your ceiling fan turns during the winter. In the summer, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise. This will create a breeze coming down from the ceiling. In the wintertime, the fan should be set to spin clockwise. This will pull air up toward the center, and warm air collecting near the ceiling is pushed down around the perimeter of the room.
Set your thermostat to 68°
Another great tip is to set your thermostat to 68° when you’re home and then lower it when you’re not home or asleep. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7° to 10°F for eight hours a day from its normal setting.
Maintain your heating system
Ensure your heating system is working properly by scheduling your annual tune-up with A+. We’ll clean and inspect your system to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Our professional technicians can spot potential problems so you avoid costly repairs in the future.
If you haven’t kept up with annual inspections, A+ Heating & Cooling – Electrical can help. Join our Cool Club to schedule regular bi-annual tune-ups. This ensures that you’ll never miss your regularly scheduled maintenance. Plus, you’ll receive discounts on repairs, priority service, and reduced diagnostic fees.
Call A+ Heating & Cooling – Electrical for more ways to save money this winter
This winter, stay warm as well as efficient by following our heating savings tips and saving on your heating costs. And if you experience any heating problems this year, call the trusted professionals at A+ Heating & Cooling – Electrical.