Some homeowners in Texas, spend a few hundred dollars on energy bills during the winter months. While these bills may seem inevitable during the dead of winter, you can change how you use your heat pump to reduce energy costs. Install a programmable thermostat and avoid using emergency heat to save money and achieve greater energy efficiency.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

One question that many homeowners have is whether they should turn off their heat pump at night to save money and energy. While that might work for some days depending on the weather, another option is to use a programmable thermostat instead. For days when it’s cold outside, installing a programmable thermostat and setting the temperature 6 to 8 degrees lower while sleeping can help you sleep comfortably and reduce your energy usage, effectively lowering your monthly bills.

Avoid Using Emergency Heat

A common mistake that many homeowners make is using the “emergency heat” setting on the thermostat. It’s very easy for homeowners to turn on “emergency heat” accidentally and forget to turn it off. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t use this setting just because it’s really cold. It reduces the energy efficiency and can lead to higher energy bills.

A heat pump will be more energy-efficient than emergency heating at any temperature. If it’s colder than 32 degrees Fahrenheit outside, your heat pump will need a supplemental heat source to ensure the comfort of the home’s occupants. Supplemental heat is the better option because the heat pump will still be using warmth from outside to heat the home. Emergency heat should be a last resort, like if the heat pump isn’t working at all.

Making quick changes to the thermostat settings for your heat pump can do wonders for your wallet. For more information about how to use your heat pump to save money, talk to a skilled HVAC technician from Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Call us at 888-414-4655.