6 Easy Ways to Save on Your Heating Costs

By this time, your heating system is probably already engaged in yet another busy season. As your furnace works hard in keeping you and your family warm this fall and the coming winter, you can easily imagine your energy costs increasing. In order to lower their heating bills, many homeowners try to keep their temperature at a steady 68 degrees, which is a myth. In fact, the Department of Energy says that as you lower the temperature, the slower your house will lose the heat. If you want to see a considerable drop on your heating bill, you need to lower the thermostat by 10-15 degrees for stretches of eight hours — like when you’re away.

To maximize your savings, be sure to have your trusted heating company in Hugo MN like Four Seasons Air Specialists maintain your heating system for a professional approach on taking care of your furnace.

Here are a few tips you can consider to help save on your heating bills this season:

Manage your filter.

Your filter collects dust, dirt, and debris, maintaining proper airflow within your furnace. When the filter gets clogged, it restricts airflow that results in higher energy consumption and the system overheating. A dirty furnace tends to overheat because it needs to work harder than it should. It’s like trying to sing when your air passages are clogged with phlegm. To ensure your furnace performs well and avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt within your heating system, clean or replace your filters regularly.

Clothe yourself in layers.

Do you want to minimize your furnace use? Dress in layers. Wearing layers of clothing is the most effective and easiest way to feel warm, so don’t take those sweaters off yet as you get home. Instead, put on warm clothing inside so you can lower your home’s temperature. The California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center estimates that you can save as much as 5 percent on heating costs for every degree you drop your thermostat in the 60-70 degree range.

Just as putting on warm clothing warms up your body, you can also put flannel sheets on your bed, rugs on your floor, insulated curtains in your windows and warm blankets on your couch to get the same effect.

Keep your heating system clean.

Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated, and tuned-up can be beneficial to your health as well as your budget. This simple strategy can help you save up to 5 percent on your heating bills.

Boost your home’s insulation.

Insulating your home, especially the attic is like putting on a jacket for your abode. The attic is the main location for losing heat when it’s not properly insulated.  A few layers of insulation can make it warmer. While newer homes are likely compliant with current insulation standards, older homes may need insulation upgrades. The Department of Energy’s Home Energy Saving Tool can give you insulation recommendations that fit your home.

Maximize sunlight.

If your windows are facing the sun, you can use them as natural heaters. At daytime, open the curtains on the south and west-facing windows to help cozy up your home. Then, close all curtains at night to help keep the heat from getting out. In addition, consider trimming trees and bushes that can keep sunlight from entering your windows.

Get smart.

If you haven’t upgraded to a smart thermostat yet, you should consider doing so. Smart thermostats can keep your home comfortable in the most energy-efficient methods. Using modern technologies like Wi-Fi, these devices let you easily control your home’s temperature from practically anywhere — as long as you have your Wi-Fi-enabled device with you.

If you’re the type of person who tends to let your furnace work all day, you’ll appreciate the way smart thermostats can detect that you’re away. It will then make the necessary adjustments to make sure your system is running as efficiently as possible.

Why Choose Four Seasons Air Specialists?

There are a lot of HVAC companies today. However, they’re not all the same. Four Seasons Air Specialists has teams of highly trained HVAC professionals who have the experience, certification, and the right equipment to keep your furnace in tip-top shape. When your heating system is in optimum condition, that’s when it uses the least amount of energy to perform its job.

Since 1974, we have been the top Forest Lake heating and air conditioning company.