There are many household heating tips to keep you warm this winter. Want to save money on your heating expenses? Reduce the amount of energy you use and add years to your heating system by following these simple tasks.
Ceiling Fans
Have your ceiling fans run clockwise. Run them on low to allow them to circulate the warm air that accumulates at the ceiling. Heat rises!
Thermostat Programming
With today’s technology, installing and maintaining a programmable thermostat to schedule when your heater comes on is simple. You can program the heater to only warm the house when you are home. Set it to heat up a half hour before you come home. Night time is a good time to run the system a little cooler to and save an your heating bill. Use those blankets!
Don’t Heat The Whole House
If you live in a two-story house and only use one floor, close the vents on the other floor. Consider installing a zone system to enable you to set different thermostat settings for different parts of the house.
Replace Your Filters
Some filters need to be replaced every month to allow for good air flow. Owning a pet increases this need.
Weather Stripping Replacement
Make sure windows and doors aren’t leaking out warm air. Sealing your home will save you money on heating costs.
Consider a Heating System Upgrade
If you are spending money heater repairs to an old unit, you may actually save money by switching to a new higher seer unit. Newer heaters heat better on less energy and with the new technology, they can keep you more comfortable and they are more reliable.
Maintain Your Heating System
The EnergyStar program recommends bi-annual maintenance for your HVAC system. If you haven’t had any heater maintenance in a while, a tune-up may be just what your heating system needs. Don’t forget to have the duct work inspected for holes, leaks and blockages that would prevent your system from heating properly. Bad ducts can cause your heating system to work harder than it needs to which shorten the life of your heating system.