4 Tips to Save You Money on Your Heating Bills

With winter fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about the cold, harsh weather that comes with it – and the strain that can put on your heating bill. Don’t break out the long-johns just yet, however. By following just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to keep your home nice and toasty without causing your heating bills to skyrocket. Here are four tips that will help you keep your heating bills nice and low this winter.

Control Your Vents Wisely

One great way to save money on your energy bills is to close off the vents to any rooms you don’t use regularly. If no one’s spending time in that guest bedroom, spare office, or storage area, why heat them? By shutting those vents, you’re allowing your furnace to focus on the rooms that do need heat. That means it won’t have to work nearly as hard to heat those rooms properly.

In the rooms that you are using, you’ll want to make sure those vents are open all the way. Vents that are only partially open force your furnace to work twice as hard to reach the desired temperature, wasting energy and money. Make sure no furniture or rugs are blocking the vents to ensure maximum airflow with minimum effort.

Check Your Insulation

Old, worn out, or missing insulation can’t function the way it’s meant to, which means precious heat is escaping your home without your knowledge. If you haven’t had it checked or replaced in a while, now’s the perfect time to get that taken care of. Because heat rises, the attic is typically the biggest culprit when it comes to heat escaping your home. Make sure yours is properly insulated.

Don’t forget to check the insulation on your heating ducts, as well. If they aren’t properly insulated, then heat can escape before it ever reaches your vents. This results in lost efficiency, wasted energy, and higher bills. This is especially important in unfinished areas of your home like basements.

Seal Up Those Cracks

Just like missing insulation, missing or cracked seals around your home can either let your heat seep out or cold air creep in. By properly sealing up your heating ducts, caulking around your windows, and installing strips to cover any gaps in your exterior doors, you’re helping to keep the hot air in and the cold air out — where they belong. Even electrical outlets and places where pipes enter your home can let a lot of warm air leak out.

Let The Sun Shine In

Even if it’s below freezing outside, the sun can still provide a great deal of warmth. By opening your curtains during the day when it’s sunny, you can easily raise the temperature in your house without having to crank up the thermostat! When the sun goes down, close the blinds and curtains to keep that heat inside.

These are just a few of the steps you can take to reduce your heating bills this winter, but even following just these simple tips can help reduce your heating bills noticeably. If you need help with your furnace, please give us a call at (402) 554-1110 or request service online.