It’s finally getting cold outside, and this means it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your family warm this winter. To stay as comfortable as possible during the long, cold months ahead, you’ll want to plan ahead now so that you can avoid being hit with a big heating bill at the end of the year. If you are looking for “heating and ac service near me”, here are some ideas for saving money on your heating bill this winter:
Invest In a Programmable Thermostat
Use programmable thermostats to automatically raise the temperature in your home and then lower it once everyone has left. This can help keep your house warm without wasting energy when no one is inside. Some of these thermostats also have timers that allow you to preheat your home before going to bed so that it is warm when you wake up.
Get a Space Heater
Space heaters are small, standalone heaters that can be used to heat a specific area of your home. If you have a cold room in your house, investing in a space heater for that room can help you save money on your heating bill. Just make sure the space heater isn’t too close to anything combustible.
Space heaters are an excellent way to keep specific areas of your home warm without having to raise the thermostat throughout the house. Just keep in mind that using too many space heaters at once can result in an increase in your energy bill.
Install Insulation
Insulation in your walls not only helps keep heat inside during the winter, but it also helps you retain heat during the summer. Keep in mind that this type of exterior wall insulation is not cheap and will almost certainly necessitate more work than simply installing programmable thermostats or space heaters.
If you’re looking for “heating and ac service near me,” adding insulation to your attic, basement, and crawl spaces can help keep the warm air inside your house where it belongs. This will not only save you money on your heating bills, but it will also help to reduce wear and tear on your appliances.
Seal Doors and Windows
Sealing doors and windows can help keep your house warm by preventing cold air from entering from outside. It is critical to seal all cracks and crevicesaround exterior doors and windows, as this will prevent drafts from entering the home at these points.
Caulk or weather-stripping can be used to seal up any drafty spots around your windows and doors. You can also use insulation or window boxes with insulating foam inserts to keep cold air out of these areas.
Remember to cover any exterior vents or fans in your home. When you consider how much energy it takes to heat this additional air inside the house, these types of ventilation systems can allow cold air and outside noise into your home.
Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
One of the best ways to save energy and money on your heating bill during the winter is to use natural light as much as possible. Open up your curtains and blinds during the day to allow sunlight in, which will help warm up your home without having to turn on any lights or heaters.
If you need to do something that will require a bit more light, simply turn on any lamps or overhead lights to help brighten up the room. You should also consider investing in a few solar-powered LED holiday string lights for your house if you live somewhere where it gets dark early during the winter months.
Opening curtains and blinds to let in natural light during the day can help reduce your need for artificial light, which uses energy. You can also try installing a solarium or sunroom to take advantage of winter sunlight.
Shop Wisely When Buying Appliances
Purchase energy-efficient heating systems, furnaces, water heaters, and other appliances. These appliances will use less electricity or gas, lowering your monthly utility bills.
Purchase appliances that bear the Energy Star label. These products adhere to the Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent energy-efficiency guidelines (EPA). All major home appliance manufacturers are required to comply with these regulations, which means that any product bearing the Energy Star logo will save you money on your energy bills.
Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers, televisions, and computers.
Close Unused Vents
Closing unused vents can help redirect warm air towards the areas of your home that you are using, which will help reduce your energy bill. By closing off any vents in rooms that you are not using, you are essentially forcing the heating system to work a bit harder to heat these additional areas.
You can close off vents in hallways, bathrooms, family rooms, kitchens, and other areas. Simply place a towel or blanket over the vent to help redirect heat towards these specific locations instead of just letting it escape into the unused room that is being heated by your HVAC system.
If you have any rooms in your house that aren’t regularly used, close the vents to those rooms to prevent warm air from escaping. You can also use a rolled-up towel at the base of the door to help keep the heat from escaping.
Change Your Air Filter
One of the easiest and most effective ways to save money on your heating bill during the winter is to change your air filter regularly. A dirty or clogged air filter will cause your heating system to work harder, using more energy in the process.
Filters should be changed every month for best results, especially when the furnace is used more often, such as when it is cold outside.
If you’re not sure when the last time your air filter was changed, change it now before turning on your heat or furnace for the first time this year. This simple step can help reduce energy costs by around 15% to 20%.
Are You Looking For “Heating And Ac Service Near Me”?
Contact Cardinal Plumbing, Heating & Air at (703) 721-8888 today to schedule an appointment for your home’s heating system tune-up and repair needs this winter season. We can help you save money on heating bills by ensuring your furnace is running smoothly, efficiently, and safely all year round.