5 Ways to Save on Heating This Winter

As the cooler months begin the cost of heating rises. Cold winter months mean you’ll be using the furnace to keep your warm and cozy. The extra work that your heating methods do will increase the heating bill. But there are some easy ways to save if you do the little things. Follow Mobley Heating and Air’s easy-to-do tips to avoid big bills this winter! 

INSULATE 

A home has many points where tiny bits of warmth may escape. Seals around doors and windows sometimes crack. Air ducts throughout the house may develop small cracks that allow heat to leave. All these points add up to increase your overall heating costs. 

What should you do? 

1.  Inspect all the air ducts throughout your house. Keep an eye out for cracks, holes, or points where two segments of the tubes meet. These are particularly vulnerable spots. If you’re not comfortable crawling around in your ceiling, then call a service professional to do it for you. 

2.  Doors and windows are particularly vulnerable to small breaches. Check all the seals around windows and doors. Lock windows so that they are as tightly sealed as possible For doors, adjust thresholds to create a tighter seal that’ll keep warmth in and costs down. 

UPGRADE 

Older homes often have poor insulation and home heating. Old furnace systems still get the job done, but every year they become less and less efficient. Older central air systems use old thermostats that aren’t as accurate as modern, digital types. 

What should you do? 

1.  If your home has a furnace, check the burners and other components. Keep the unit clear of any debris or grime. 

2.  For homes with central systems, upgrade the thermostat. Additionally, turn the thermostat down, lower than the outside temperature, so that the unit does not come on when not needed. 

SOLAR POWER 

No, we don’t mean for you to install an expensive solar energy system in your home. But, during the day, particularly sunny days, our star is warming the world, including your home. You can take advantage of this during the daytime to keep your costs down. 

What should you do? 

1.  Pull back the curtains. While there is a loss of privacy, the incoming sunlight will warm your home. Not only will it keep you from using heating during the day, that warmth lingers, meaning you won’t have to use your home heating system until later in the day. 

2.  Close your chimney which doesn’t allow enough sunlight in during the day but will allow plenty of warmth to escape. In fact, anytime your chimney is not in use, keep it closed to trap heat. 

 MINIMIZE 

The bigger your home, the harder your home heating system has to work to keep the temperature just right. Misplaced furniture can also make it harder for your home to stay warm. 

What should you do? 

1.  Check the placement of furniture to make sure that it’s not blocking any heating registers. These vents, typically in the floor of older homes, allows warmth to come through from your home heating system. 

2.  A space heater can save you money. If you and your family are spending a lot of time in one room together, then there’s no reason to keep the home heating system operating for the whole house. Use a space heater unit which drains less from your wallet while keeping you nice and toasty. 

INSPECT 

We’ve told you to check the windows, doors, air ducts, thermostat, and furnace. What more is there? Every little point in and around your home that loses integrity means heat is escaping. Slipping out through those cracks and holes as well is your money. 

What should you do? 

1.  Check the exterior walls of your home to ensure there are no cracks, holes, or other points where heat will exit. 

2.  Interior walls and points like electrical outlets will sometimes have cracks or holes as well. Improve insulation around electrical outlets with new covers, foam sealant, or insulation pad. Holes in your walls need to be patched up. Service professionals like Mobley Heating and Air are always ready to do that work for you. 

Completing as many of these little things around your house will impact your heating bill for the better. If you’re still not sure if you did everything possible or you want to take even more steps for saving, then contact Mobley Heating and Air who will work with you to make your home more heating efficient. 

https://www.mobleyheatingandair.com/