Keeping your home warm when the weather gets chilly is never an inexpensive endeavor, but in recent years, heating solutions have only risen in price. So, to lower your heating bills without freezing in your home, consider upping your heating efficiency. There are more than a few ways to accomplish that, believe it or not, and they’re outlined below (some of them are even simpler than you might think):
Close Your Doors
Keeping your home’s various doors closed as often as possible will help make the most of the heat you’ve got and—in turn—reduce the work your heating system needs to do; less work equals less expensive bills.
Use Curtains
There are reasonably priced heavy curtains made from thermal fabric available these days, and they’re capable of trapping a good amount of heat and reducing your energy bills. You’ll want to keep those curtains open during the day to allow the sunlight to warm your home, then close them at night to keep the heat inside.
Heat on a Timer
There’s a debate regarding whether running your heating system on low throughout the day is more effective than setting a timer to have it run at maximum power. The answer can depend on how frequently you’re in your home, but it’s generally a better choice to use the timer; running your heat while no one is around, even if it’s on low, is inherently wasteful.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
For the most control, as well as the ability to optimize your heating use, you may want to invest in a smart thermostat. With one, you can gauge your use, control temperatures, set schedules, and improve your heating system’s efficiency, all from a single app.
Improve Your Insulation
One of the most effective ways to get the most out of your heating system is to ensure that your home has proper insulation and that there are no air leaks that could be causing heat loss. Major heat loss can occur in uninsulated attics and crawl spaces that you don’t think much about; insulating them well means your heating bill should be lower than ever.
Get Regular Heating System Maintenance
Your home’s heating system needs to be tuned regularly, or it will start working less efficiently. When it’s struggling to work due to old parts, a buildup of dirt and dust buildup, or any other reason, for that matter, it’s going to take more energy to maintain the temperature on your thermostat, and when that happens, heating bills tend to go through the roof.
Calling in your local HVAC technician for annual maintenance may cost you a few bucks up front, but it can ultimately save you far more by allowing your heating system to work as efficiently as possible throughout the entire season; not only that, but regular maintenance can also help you avoid costly repairs by catching issues early on.
Consider Switching Heating Systems
There are pros and cons to every style of heating system, and it’s worth considering them all if you’re looking for the most efficient and affordable method possible.
When it comes to gas vs. electric heat, for instance, a gas heater is more expensive to purchase yet cheaper to install and run. That said, it’s likely that you’ll get five or more extra years of use out of an electric heater. Running all the numbers is crucial when looking for the best of the best for you.
Efficiently Heating Your Home Can Be Easy
Keeping your thermostat at a steady 68 degrees and adding some extra layers can get you pretty far when trying to be efficient with your home’s heating this winter, but — as the above tips have shown you — there are even better ways to lower your bills than that. Follow them to change up your approach to the winter weather, and you should find that you no longer dread the arrival of next month’s heating bill.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
