How to Save on Your Heating Bills

This winter, heating accounts for the largest part of your utility costs. According to a study, 65 percent of every dollar we spend on energy goes to heating and cooling.

Thankfully, even in the middle of winter, you can lower your heating costs without compromising comfort.

For best results, it is highly recommended to consult a reputable heating company in Lino Lakes, MN like Four Seasons Air Specialists to ensure your heating system works at peak performance, minimizing energy usage.

Here are a few tips to cut your heating bills while maintaining comfortable temperatures in your home this snow season.

Set Your Thermostat

Setting your thermostat to at least 68 degrees will help you save 5-10 percent on your heating costs.

You can install and use a programmable thermostat to automatically warm or cool your home only when needed. 

Programming your thermostat a couple degrees cooler when you’re away or asleep can make a significant reduction on your heating bill without sacrificing your comfort.

Also, keep the furnace fan on to help circulate air through your home.

Take Advantage of Free Heat from the Sun

Even when the outside temperature is freezing cold, the sun’s rays still deliver some heat into your home. This added heat helps reduce the need for your furnace to run.

You can get direct sunlight on the south side of your house, so keeping your curtains open during the day should help lower your heating bills. In addition, trim any shrubs or tree branches that block the sunlight around your windows to maximize the heat.

Seal Off Air Leaks

According to ENERGY STAR, the typical house with forced-air heating loses about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the system to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.

Caulking and weather stripping keeps your house comfortable and your energy bills at a minimum. Inspect windows and doors for gaps that let cold air in and let heated air escape. Weather-stripping and caulking are affordable and easy do-it-yourself projects.

Sealing off leaks within your ductwork can help you save at least 10 percent on your heating bills. If ducts remain ignored for years, they begin to develop cracks that cause you to waste a significant amount of energy. Some homeowners try to cover these duct leaks with the use of duct tapes. However, this doesn’t prove to be a long-term solution as the sealed ductworks tend to dry and fall over time.

It is recommended to have a professional fix all the leaking ducts and make sure they are properly sealed. There may be an upfront cost, but you can save money in the long run since you will no longer have to waste energy on leaky ducts.

Clean Your Filters

Proper airflow is essential for any heating equipment to operate efficiently. A regular inspection of the filter needs to be done to ensure that there are no blockages in the system's airflow. Blockages force your fan motor to overwork, using more energy. This can cause damage to your system and significantly increase your electric bill.

Clean or replace your filters regularly to avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt within your heating system. When your filters are clogged, the furnace tends to overheat as it needs to work harder to provide your heating requirements.

In addition, accumulated dirt and debris can cause your furnace to have multiple issues such as frozen evaporator coils and depleted heating, which can shorten your furnace's lifespan. A regular replacement on your system's filters is even more necessary if you have pets, keep many chemicals or if there are smokers at home.

Regularly Maintain Your Furnace

A furnace that doesn’t undergo regular professional maintenance needs to vigorously work in order to keep your home comfortably warm. This results in high utility bills and the inevitable failure of parts and the unit itself.

A poorly maintained furnace can also be a safety hazard. Inadequate ventilation can result in carbon monoxide buildup, which can is extremely dangerous to your health.

A qualified technician should check and lubricate the fan, pump, and motor bearings. He will also check the gas pressure on the furnace, inspect the fan belt, blowers, pilot ignition system and if needed, replace filters. In addition to these inspections, the technician will also check the mechanical and electrical connections and conduct carbon monoxide tests.

Ask the Heating Experts

Four Seasons Air Specialists has been providing the heating and cooling needs of our valued customers since 1974. Our clients call us for Lino Lakes furnace repair, installation or maintenance.

Our technicians are factory-trained so you can be sure your system will be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. After all, keeping your furnace is one of the best ways to lower your heating bills this winter.