Texas homeowners may not deal with a long winter, but the utility bills don’t seem to go down when the weather turns cold. To reduce your heating costs this winter, scheduling professional heating maintenance and installing a home humidifier are among some ways you can save money.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
If you haven’t updated your thermostat to a programmable model yet, make this switch a priority. A programmable thermostat allows you to remain in complete control over your home’s temperature settings.
You can program the thermostat to reduce the heat at night and while you’re at work, which gives both the heating system and your wallet a break. In fact, if you set your thermostat five degrees lower than normal for eight hours at a time, you can save 5 percent on your energy costs.
Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Heat Pump
This option requires an initial investment, but the amount of money you can save on utility bills could mean that your new high-efficiency heating system will end up paying for itself after a few years. Air-source heat pumps, for instance, deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heating energy than the amount of electricity they consume. Even better, new heating systems and pumps come with fresh warranties, so you don’t have to worry about costly repair bills for the warranty’s duration.
Schedule Professional Heating Maintenance
All HVAC systems should be inspected regularly by a licensed technician to make sure they’re operating at peak performance. Regardless of the type of heating system you have, preventive maintenance helps make sure the system is working optimally. A technician can also check and clean your ductwork and filters, improving your home’s overall air quality and boosting its efficiency.
Winterize Your Home
Before chilly weather sets in, you should inspect your home to check for any drafts or cold spots. Add weatherstripping or caulking to doors and windows to keep the cold air out, and wrap your water heater with ample insulation to reduce your winter energy costs.
Your home’s insulation even breaks down over time, so if it’s been some time since you’ve installed more insulation, now may be the time to make that installation. At the very least, you should install window film over your windows to keep heat from escaping through the glass. To help you find problems areas throughout your home, schedule a home energy audit to see if other ways exist to winterize your home and ensure all appliances and heating systems are in working order for the season.
Limit the Use of Your Fireplace
While building a fire during the holiday season can be cozy, heating specialists report that fireplaces lose more heat than they generate. When the smoke from the fire escapes through the chimney, any heated air from your home follows on its heels. You will also need to close the damper when the fireplace isn’t in use to prevent heat from escaping.
If you love the look and feel of a fireplace but don’t want to deal with lost energy, consider upgrading to a fireplace insert. These devices make better use of the generated heat.
Install a Whole-Home Humidifier
Dry air can cause sinus and other respiratory problems in the winter, which is why many homeowners are opting to add a central humidifier system. What you may not realize, however, is that humidified air feels warmer than dry air, even at the same temperature. When you have a whole-home humidifier, you can reduce the temperature by several degrees and still enjoy the same comfort levels as before.
Develop Energy-Friendly Habits
You can help reduce your heating costs simply by closing your curtains on chilly winter nights to prevent energy loss. Set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise at low speed to help circulate warm air, and add extra blankets to the bed so you can reduce your thermostat at night by a few degrees.
If you want to help reduce your heating costs this winter, contact Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating at 888-414-4655 to schedule one of our professional heating services.
