Well, it’s winter once again, which means we’re in peak heating season. Whether you use a furnace, boiler, or another piece of heating equipment, you are likely to spend more on heating costs in the next few months than at any other time of year. However, just because your utility bills are about to go up doesn’t mean they have to get out of control. Energy efficiency is important, even in the wintertime, and if you find that your heating expenses skyrocket during the colder months, you may be spending more than you have to. Keep reading to learn the five ways you are wasting money on heat this winter, and how you can start saving, courtesy of our HVAC experts at AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric.
How to Stop Wasting Money on Your Heating Bill This Winter
- Stop Heating the House When No One Is Home: During the summertime, it is actually more efficient to let your air conditioner run when you leave for work, as you do not want your system to overexert itself as it tries to cool your space. However, your heating system should not be left on all day, as this is a huge waste of money. Instead, it is better to set your thermostat to turn on shortly before you return home for the day. This is easier than ever to do with today’s programmable and smart thermostats, many of which will actually learn your comfort preferences automatically and begin adjusting accordingly.
- Don’t Crank Your Thermostat Up When the Temperature Drops: As mentioned above, proper thermostat control is essential to home comfort during the wintertime. A lot of people naturally assume that the colder it is outside, the higher your thermostat temperature should be. And yet this is not actually the case. Your thermostat should be set lower in summer and higher during winter to compensate for your increased HVAC costs and to balance temperatures throughout your home. Setting your thermostat to rise and fall with your HVAC unit is unlikely to have any effect on your comfort, though it is surely going to raise your utility bill. Luckily, with the cutting-edge digital thermostats offered by AAA, you’ll never have to worry about struggling to achieve the right temperature setting in your home.
- Start Locking Your Windows: If you live in a colder part of the country, you’re probably already not leaving your windows opening during the winter. However, air can slip in and out through tiny spaces all over your home—that’s why we recommend weather-stripping and caulking openings around windows and doors to seal in temperatures. Another way you can easily stop warm air from getting out and cold air from getting in is by locking your windows. Remember, the more air slips in and out of your home, the harder your heating system will have to work, and the more you will have to pay in energy bills.
- Turn Off Your Exhaust Fans Promptly: Your bathroom and kitchen’s exhaust fans are necessary for removing odors, preventing excess moisture/mold growth, and achieving proper ventilation and strong indoor air quality. However, every time your exhaust fans flush out old, unclean air, they also suck warm air from your home. Just remember, while you should keep running your exhaust fans like normal during winter, leaving them on for long periods of time can end up increasing your heating costs by a few dollars each year.
- Call for Heating Service ASAP: At the end of the day, the best way to keep your heater effective and energy-efficient is to call for regular repairs and maintenance. Forget the fact for a second that ignoring heater problems is dangerous, it’s also a good way to end up spending way more than you need to on utility bills. To increase your heater’s lifespan and make sure your energy costs remain affordable, do not hesitate to call AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric as soon as there is a problem with your system.
AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric is available by phone at (303) 313-3333, or you can send us a message online.
