Winter weather conditions can be downright brutal as temperatures drop well below freezing for extended periods of time and snow and ice blanket the ground. Your home’s heating system provides you and your family with essential warmth all season long, but regular use of the heater will inevitably drive your energy bill through the roof. There are many ways to reduce energy consumption and related costs throughout the season, and one of the most effective ways is to simply adjust the thermostat.
The Best Setting for Your Thermostat
Reducing the setting on your thermostat by any amount will result in energy and cost savings. In fact, a reduction of only 1 degree Fahrenheit for eight hours can cut 1% off of your home energy cost. Maintaining the reduction for more than eight hours or further decreasing the temperature setting during the winter can have a greater effect.
While any reduction is beneficial, there is an ideal setting. The U.S. Department of Energy states that a maximum setting of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal. In addition, if you program an additional reduction of seven to 10 degrees to this setting over eight hours each day, your energy cost could be slashed by 10%. For many people, 68 degrees is a comfortable temperature, or it can be through acclimatization. When your home is warmer, heat loss occurs more rapidly. By choosing an indoor temperature at the lower range of your comfort level, you can slow the rate of heat loss, save money and still be comfortable in your home.
Acclimating to a New Indoor Temperature
Depending on what your current thermostat settings are, reducing the temperature to 68 degrees immediately can result in significant discomfort. In fact, it may feel so uncomfortable that you decide that the financial savings is simply not worthwhile. A drastic change in indoor temperature can be even more unpleasant for seniors and children. Rather than shocking your system with a drastic change, consider making the change over a longer period of time. Every few days to a week, reduce the setting by a degree until you comfortably reach the desired setting.
When You Are Away from Home for an Extended Time
If you plan to be away from home for an extended length of time this winter, adjusting your thermostat even lower is a smart idea. However, avoid turning off the heater entirely. The warmth that radiates from the inside of your house helps to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting. By lowering the setting to somewhere between 58 and 62 degrees, you can take advantage of money savings while reducing the chance of your pipes rupturing.
The Benefit of Programmable Thermostats
If you do not already have a programmable thermostat, this is a great time to make that affordable investment. With financial savings possible through your heating and air conditioning costs throughout the year, the reasonable cost for the equipment is easy to recoup. A programmable thermostat enables you to take advantage of regular, strategic adjustments at the most ideal times each day. Of course, you can still see cost savings through manual adjustments, but you may not always be home to make the adjustments or remember to do so.
Regular HVAC System Maintenance
In addition to choosing the optimal temperature for your home, you can help your furnace to function more efficiently through regular maintenance. One of the most important maintenance steps that requires regular attention is changing the air filter. The air filter naturally collects many dust and dirt particles, pet hair and other elements as your heater and AC system run. This filth blocks the air from flowing through the ducts efficiently, so the heating system has to work harder to do its job when the filter is dirty. You should replace the filter before it is saturated with dirt and debris for the best results.
When to Replace Your Heater
Today’s HVAC systems are far more efficient than those produced 15 or 20 years ago. You could save energy by replacing a dated system with an energy-efficient model, but you understandably do not want to pay for this expense before necessary. In addition to the equipment’s age, consider how frequently repairs are needed, if drafts are present in the home and if your winter energy bills have been progressively getting higher to determine if a replacement is beneficial. You can also request a professional HVAC inspection to learn more about the benefits of replacing the heater sooner versus later.
Important Tips to Save More Money on Home Heating Costs
Many other aspects of your home environment impact your energy consumption each winter. When you understand what these factors are and focus on improving them, you can enjoy additional savings each month. What are some of the other ways to save money on home heating costs?
1. Focus on Home Insulation and Sealant
When you pay money to heat your home, you want to keep as much of that heated air as possible indoors. However, heat loss through poorly sealed doors and windows is problematic. In addition, low-quality or older insulation in the walls, attic and basement can result in further heat loss. Resealing doors and windows is an easy, affordable do-it-yourself project. While the cost to re-insulate your home is more expensive, it can also be cost-effective in the long run.
2. Improve the Air Ducts
Heat loss also occurs through the air ducts. This may be because the ducts are not properly insulated or because they are leaky. In fact, as much as 20% of the climate-controlled air can escape through faulty ducts. A professional HVAC system can yield insights about the current condition of your ducts and the need for repair work or upgrades.
3. Close the Chimney Flue
Your home’s chimney flue is a direct opening to the outdoor environment. When it is open and the fireplace is not in use, cold air can stream through the flue and enter your home. Even when the flue is closed, it may not be sealed properly. This means that cold air could seep around the sides of the flue. A chimney inspection can provide you with detailed insight into your need for flue servicing. Keep in mind that your dryer air vent can have the same issues, so this area of the home should receive your attention as well.
4. Dress in Layers
You will be far more comfortable maintaining a lower thermostat setting if you dress in layers. Nobody wants to wear a toboggan and four shirts while indoors, but simply wearing a t-shirt under a sweatshirt or wearing a cardigan over your shirt can help. If you plan to drop your heater’s setting at night, consider investing in flannel sheets and adding an extra blanket on the bed to stay cozy and comfortable.
5. Move Your Furniture
In some homes, rooms have been decorated so that air vents are blocked. When a bed, sofa, area rug, appliance or something else blocks an air vent, air circulation is impaired. As a result, a larger amount of energy is used to heat the space. Rearrange your furniture so that air circulation is optimized. For rooms that are not normally used, like an extra bedroom, shut the valves for additional savings.
6. Use Your Ceiling Fans
You may think that ceiling fans only serve the purpose of cooling rooms, but they are also useful in the winter. Ceiling fans improve air circulation. Hot air from your heater naturally rises to the top of the room. When your ceiling fan runs, that hot air is brought back lower in the room for your benefit. Running your fan on a high setting may be ideal in the summer, but it is best to use the lowest setting in the winter.
7. Open the Blinds
Solar heating can be problematic in the summer, but it can work in your favor on chilly days. When your blinds are open on sunny days, the sunlight will heat the space. This means that your heater does not have to work as hard or use as much energy. When the sun goes down, however, your blinds should be closed. Heat can escape through the windows, and your blinds serve as an insulator to keep the climate-controlled air in your home.
8. Turn on the Humidifier
The amount of moisture in the air impacts how warm or cold the air feels to you. Dry air is less efficient at retaining heat compared to humid air. Because of this, running a humidifier regularly can make your home feel more comfortable at a lower air temperature. Consider using a humidifier regularly in the rooms used most heavily in your home.
9. Install a Vent Booster
A booster is a small fan that is designed to be installed over air vents. Once installed, boosters regulate airflow from the vent. By directing the movement of warmer and colder air, they can optimize energy efficiency. At the same time, they can promote even heating for superior comfort.
Prepare for Extreme Weather
Brutal winter storms can result in down power lines or even full grid failures in some cases. When a storm is barreling down in your direction, you need to take a few important steps to be prepared. Ensure that you have an ample supply of wood for the fireplace. Invest in a backup heating source if you do not already have one. If you do have one, ensure that it works properly and that you have an adequate supply of fuel.
If your heat sources fail, you need to preserve the heat that is already in the house. For example, you should cover the windows and doors with a blanket to reduce heat loss. Placing a rolled towel near the bottom of the exterior doors is also helpful. You also should avoid going in and out of the house unless absolutely necessary to preserve heat.
Schedule HVAC Service Today
If your HVAC system has not been serviced recently or if it is showing signs of trouble, scheduling HVAC service soon is essential. Your HVAC service tech can address all issues so that your equipment can function as efficiently as possible in the weeks and months ahead.
