It has been a crazy winter, and some people that have experienced relatively mild temperatures are in for a big change. Single digit and below zero temperatures are going to stick around for a little while, and you’re going to running your heat for a few months. Too many home owners find themselves having to make a choice between staying comfortably warm and saving money on their heating bill. What would you do if you found out that there is a way to keep heating costs down, and that it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort? It may sound crazy, but this winter you won’t have to make the choice between comfort and cash. Follow these tips this winter and you won’t dread having to pay your energy bills!
Adjust temperatures according to time
Unless you work from home, there’s at least 8 hours a day where you’re running heat to warm a house that isn’t full of people. If you really want to see a difference in your energy costs, lower the thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees when you’re at work (or when the kids are at school). If you’re feeling brave enough to cut it back a few degrees when you’re also sleeping, you could save a whopping 20% on your energy bill.
Check your ducts and vents
Think about how often you have to dust and vacuum your home to keep it spic and span. Now think about the last time you took time to change your HVAC filters and clean out your vents. Your heating system accumulates just as much dirt, dust, and grime as any other area of your home. All of that filth could be leading to some blockages in vents, and that means that heat and air isn’t circulating properly around the house. Sometimes a good cleaning is all you need to get your HVAC bills under control. Replace all of the air filters in your home, and make it a point to at the very least change them once a year.
Remember your water bill
Did you know that water heaters can account for 14 to 25 percent of your monthly energy bill? Anybody that runs a residential propane service knows that heating water can require a lot of gas and other forms of energy. You may be tempted to crank up the hot water when you shower in the winter, but you should resist the urge if you want to save money. If you can’t part with your hot showers, consider making sure that the water temperature doesn’t go above 120 degrees.