You have to pay to run your HVAC system in winter, of course, but you don’t want to pay more than necessary. If you’ve started to notice that your heating bills seem too high, you don’t have to simply accept them. Chances are you’ve gotten into some bad habits with using your HVAC system and it’s costing you on your bills each month.
We know all about home heating, and we’ve put together some tips that can help you lower those heating bills this winter as well as every winter to come.
Schedule maintenance (if you haven’t already)
HVAC systems should have maintenance in spring and fall to prep them for the coming season. If you didn’t have your heating system maintained in the fall, it’s not too late to have it done—this isn’t a service you want to skip. Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent your heater from declining rapidly and costing more to run.
Change the air filter regularly
You probably either use a furnace or a heat pump to warm your house. These forced-air systems have air filters on their cabinets or behind the return air duct cover that protects the interior of the heater from dust and dirt infiltration. Too often, people leave this filter in place for the entire winter, and when the filter becomes clogged, it will force the heater to drain energy. We recommend changing this filter every 1 to 3 months to keep your bills down.
Lower the thermostat
We don’t mean dropping the thermostat down to an uncomfortable temperature! We advise you to lower the thermostat several degrees from where you often have it and wear warmer clothing. Not only do lower temperatures mean the heater will need to run less often, but the closer the indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperature, the slower heat escapes from the house. We recommend aiming for 68°F during the day when people are home, and lowering to 62°F at night or when the house is empty.
Upgrade your thermostat
Speaking of thermostats, a great way to reduce how much you pay to heat your house is to upgrade to a modern Wi-Fi/smart thermostat. These climate controls let you change settings when you’re away from home, and the smart technology allows the thermostat to do most of the work of optimizing energy consumption. The thermostat will find ways to lower costs that you wouldn’t have even thought of.
Replace your aging heater
If you have a heating system that’s over the hill, then most of the tips we’ve listed in this post won’t do you much good. An old heater will become a major power drain and will continue to get worse. The best solution, in this case, is to replace the heater with a new one. If you’re concerned about how to pay for this vital part of your house, don’t worry: we offer excellent options for HVAC financing in Marietta, GA. We are glad to offer financing options through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and GreenSky with approved credit. The application can be completed online.
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