It seems like every winter, whether you’re heating your home with gas or electric power, the bills just keep getting higher. Fortunately, though, there are actually quite a few small, inexpensive measures that you can easily take to save big on your winter heating bills. If you’re tired of emptying your wallet every time the temperature drops, try applying a few of these simple tips.
Adjust the Temperature on Your Thermostat
To save money on air conditioning in the summer, what did you do? You ran your HVAC system as little as possible by setting the temperature at the highest temperature that you could comfortably live with. You can also save a lot of money the same way in the winter as well. Just set the temperature on your thermostat a few degrees lower, and you’ll notice a difference on your next bill.
Turn Your Water Heater Down
Did you know that, according to the Department of Energy, your water heater takes up somewhere between 14% and 25% of your monthly energy expenditures? Plus, most water heaters come from the factory with a preset of 140 degrees. Try turning the preset heat down to 120 degrees. At this temperature, you can still bathe comfortably and do dishes and laundry without a problem, and your power bill could decrease by 3-5% just with this change alone.
Make Sure All Air Vents Are Unblocked
If you have furniture or belongings blocking air vents, then your HVAC system is not going to be working at its most efficient. Do a quick inspection of all of the rooms in your home and make sure that all supply and return vents are free and clear. This little step will save you a surprising amount of money over the course of the winter.
Change Your Air Filters
Over time, as they collect debris and particulates, your air filters will block air flowing through them more and more. This makes your HVAC system work harder than it needs to, burning up energy that you have to pay for. By changing your filters out once a month or as often as directed, you’ll ensure that your system is running smoothly and efficiently.
Update Your Window Treatments and Door Sweeps
Is the weather stripping on your windows getting old and cracked? What about the door sweeps under your outside doors? Replacing these is inexpensive and highly effective at keeping warm air in and cold air out.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
In the past, you could save money by programming your thermostat to maintain the minimum heat during the day, when it’s warmer outside and everyone is off at school or work and then to turn the heat up when you get home. This is now made easier with the popularity of smart thermostats that are WiFi enabled, and that you can control with your phone, such as Honeywell’s Lyric model.
With a Wi-Fi thermostat, you don’t have to depend on a timer; you can actually use an app on your phone to tell your thermostat when you’re on your way home so that it hits the perfect temperature as you walk in the door. Either of these options will minimize the amount of work your HVAC system does while you’re away, saving you a lot of cash on your bills.
Try one or all of these tips, and you’ll notice the savings on your next heating bill! Interested in learning more about WiFi thermostats? Call Berner A/C & Heat today to schedule an appointment, (504) 822-8080 or (985) 727-2302.
Sources:
http://www.horizonservicesinc.com/blog-posts/heating-services/10-proven-ways-to-slash-heating-costs
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/6-ways-to-save-on-home-heating-4.aspx
