Heating costs can take a chunk out of your monthly budget, fluctuating with the seasons and weather. While you can’t control the temperature outside, there are steps you can take to reduce your heating costs across the board.
Stop Air Leaks and Drafts to Reduce Your Heating Costs
Reduce the amount of energy you use by keeping warm air inside and blocking cold air from entering your home. Energy-efficient windows and doors will help block air transfer. If replacement isn’t an option, add or replace weatherstripping on your existing doors and windows to seal drafts and leaks.
Automate Your Heating With a Programmable Thermostat
To keep heating costs low, avoid heating your home unnecessarily. A programmable thermostat will automatically regulate the temperature based on the schedule that you set.
Set a lower temperature during the hours when your family is usually asleep or out of the house. The thermostat can be programmed to raise the temperature just before you get home, which helps to reduce your heating costs.
Help Your HVAC System Operate Efficiently by Changing Filters Regularly
An inefficiently operating HVAC system uses excess energy and drives up your heating costs. A major cause of inefficiency is a dirty HVAC filter. When the filter material becomes clogged with dirt and dust, it’s time to change the filter.
The density of the filter you choose is also an important consideration. If your filter is too dense for your HVAC system, it will struggle to force air through the filter. Most residential heating and cooling systems can be used with filters scoring less than 13 on the MERV scale, which measures how well it filters contaminants.
Work With the Weather to Reduce Your Heating Costs
Sunny days can raise the temperature in your home, which helps you to rely on your heating system less. Open blinds and curtains during the day, especially on south-facing windows. The radiant energy from sunlight will help to warm your home and reduce your heating costs.
Investigate Discounts to Save on Heating Costs
Some energy suppliers offer discounts depending on how and when you pay for your fuel. Authorizing a direct debit from your account is one way you can potentially decrease your heating costs. Your energy supplier may also offer a discount for paying in advance based on their estimate of how much fuel you will use.
If you’re having difficulty affording heating costs, many suppliers offer payment plans to spread out your heating and cooling expenses evenly throughout the year. There may also be state or local programs to help you through periods of temporary financial difficulty.
Stay Safe
No matter how concerned you are about heating costs, make sure to keep yourself safe. Gas ovens or stoves should not be used as indoor heating sources due to the risk of carbon monoxide buildup.
Bronze Star Home Inspections serves the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.