Lower Your Heating Bills Without Lowering Your Thermostat
At Lancaster Brothers Heating and Cooling, we want to focus on the no-cost ways to save you money on heating bills. Check out these six ways to save without sacrificing comfort:
1. Circulate The Air
Try leaving your indoor fan set to the “on” position rather than “auto”. This will circulate the warmer air to the cooler parts of the home which will increase comfort and filter the air more efficiently.
2. Use Ceiling Fans
In the winter time, warm air rises to the ceiling. Bring that warm air back down to where the people live by setting your ceiling fan to circulate air up toward the ceiling. When you’re looking up at your fan from below, make sure the blades are rotating clockwise. There is a small switch on the side of the fan that controls which direction the blades turn.
3. Change the Air Filter
When air filters get dirty, your furnace has to work harder to push the air through the dirty screen. This causes your furnace to have to work harder than necessary. This means higher heating bills and reduces the lifespan of your furnace. Clean air filters permit a better flow of air through your heating system, allowing hot air to more easily flow through the vents and into your rooms. Most filers should be changed monthly, but check your owner’s manual or ask professional if you’re not sure.
4. Check That Vents Are Clear
Keep vents clear. Ensure your vents are not blocked by rugs or furniture, or that you don’t have any large objects in front of your radiator. You’d be surprised how often this happens. This allows the air to circulate freely, giving you the full benefit of the warm air. Plus it puts less strain on your furnace and is also safer.
5. Use the Sun’s Energy
Approximately 10-25% of your house’s heat loss can be attributed to windows! Be smart and use solar gain to your advantage. The sun radiates heat, so open curtains and shades on south-facing windows during daylight hours to allow that heat to enter your house. When the sun goes down, keep curtains and blinds closed to insulate your house and keep the heat inside.
6. Shut Doors to Unused Rooms
If the room is not used, don’t heat it. Shut the doors and close the vent when you are not in the room. Why pay to heat rooms no one is using? Make sure your vents are closed to unused basements too.
The best thing about these tips is that they are all free and won’t cost you a thing. Be smart and save money this winter without spending a penny. If you’re looking for more ways to lower your heating bills, stay tuned for some money saving tips that will take just a small investment up front but will pay off over time.
If your furnace is on its last leg, we recommend a Lennox Home Comfort System for its high quality and energy efficiency. Call us and we’ll fill you in on the great deals going on with Lennox.