When the snow is falling and the temperatures drop below freezing, all you can think about is cranking up the heat and staying nice and warm inside your home. While this may be good for your soul, your bank account may not agree – especially when the monthly energy bill arrives!
However, there are several easy ways to save money on your energy bills if you plan ahead. Take a look at these simple tips to keep your costs down and your spirits up this winter.
Wear warm clothing and drop the interior temperature
For every degree you drop your thermostat in the 60° to 70° range, you can save up to 5% on your heating costs. For additional savings, crank the thermostat down to 55° when you’re asleep or away from home for an extended period of time.
Install a programmable thermostat
Remembering to turn the heat down every time you leave the house or go to sleep is no easy task, so make your life a whole lot easier – and reduce your heating usage by 10% to 12% – by installing a programmable thermostat. These hassle-free devices automatically adjust room temperatures to follow your usage patterns and preferences, heating your home only when you are there and awake to enjoy it.
Get your furnace inspected
Air duct leaks, intake blockages, mechanical failings, and dirty filters force your furnace to work overtime to produce the desired amount of heat. A pre-season inspection and tune-up is a great way to optimize your heating system and reduce energy consumption.
LED light bulbs
Residential LED light bulbs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, so switching out your conventional bulbs can lead to significant savings.
Replace worn weatherstripping
Those little chills you feel when you walk through your home are often caused by worn and torn weatherstripping. In fact, 7% to 10% of a home’s heat is lost through windows and doors! By replacing your weatherstripping, you are actually keeping more warm air inside, so your heating system does not have to work as hard to maintain your ideal temperature.
Seal air leaks in ductwork
Leaks, holes, or poor connections in ducts are responsible for losing 20% to 30% of forced-air heating. By properly sealing your ducts, more warm air will get where it needs to go and you won’t have to keep upping the thermostat to stay warm.
Capture the warmth of the sun
Want free heat? Just open the curtains! Sunlight streaming through south-facing windows during winter days is a great way to bring warmth into your home without spending a dime. Just remember to close the curtains when the sun goes down to keep all of that warmth inside.
If you are interested in finding out more useful tips and tricks for lowering your winter energy costs, then contact the knowledgeable and experienced team at CJS Heating and Air. CJS means YES to keeping your home at the ideal temperature all year round, so you can count on us to provide you with fast, easy, and affordable solutions for all of your heating and cooling needs.
Find out more useful tips and tricks for lowering winter energy costs by calling (614) 482-2470!
