How to Reduce Your Winter Heat Bill

Save on Heating Cost

Winter cold weather can be a challenge to deal with when trying to reduce your heating cost. Who wants to see an increase in their heating bills if it is not necessary? Here are five ideas on how to reduce your winter heating bill and still stay warm this winter. Don't hesitate to take actions on these suggestions if you want to save heating costs this winter. None of these suggestions are beyond the capability of the DIY homeowner.

1.    Lower the temperature in your home during the day when you're at work and when you sleep at night. An extra blanket on the bed will keep you warm and lowering the temperature just a few degrees can make a big difference. If you have trouble remembering to reduce the temperature, install a programmable thermostat. This is a small, one-time investment that will help you save money on your winter heat bill for many years.

2.    Check the thermostat on your water heater. Most of the time, the factory settings that come pre-set on residential water heaters are set higher than necessary. The average family does fine with around 110 degrees of hot water. This is an example where adjusting a few degrees can make a big difference in your winter heat bill.

 

3.    Close the damper on your fireplace when not in use. Fireplaces are a beautiful addition to any home however, you may not realize that the damper, which keeps the smoke out of your house when the fireplace is in use, actually allows cold air to leak in when a fire isn't burning. By closing the damper between uses, you can keep the cold air out and reduce your winter heat bill.

 

4.    Open the shades and draperies during sunny daylight hours. Natural sunlight is a great source of free heat. During sunny days, keep your drapes and shades open to allow mother nature to add warmth to your home. Close them when the sun goes down to reduce heat loss through the windows.

 

5.     Do an annual tune up of your heating system before winter arrives. It doesn't matter if your system is one year old or 10 years old, you should schedule an annual cleaning and tune up with a trusted HVAC Contractor. By scheduling it at the same time every year it will be easier to remember when it needs to be done. A cleaning and tune up can keep the system working more efficiently and help avoid breakdown costs during the winter.

By being proactive, you can reduce your winter heating cost and avoid unnecessary costs in the future.

See related articles:

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How to Ventilate Your House

How to Winterize Your Home

How Your Thermostat Works

HVAC Preventative Maintenance

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