Wanna heat your home this winter? It might cost you an arm and a leg. In Massachusetts, utility rates are among some of the highest in the nation. At A+ Plumbing, we put together a guide on the best ways to heat your home without going broke. Read more below!
Get Your Furnace Cleaned And Checked:
When your heating system is working harder than it should to maintain a consistent temperature inside your home, that can cost you money. You will pay higher energy costs if your furnace is running all the time or working harder than it should.
And, running all the time or working harder than necessary puts a lot of wear and tear on the heating system. That means you will need to replace the furnace sooner or need to pay for repairs.
The smartest way to save money during the cold winter months is to get your furnace checked and cleaned by a professional so it will work as efficiently as possible.
Keep Cold Air Outside and Warm Air Inside:
Drafts in your home could be letting cold air in and driving up your energy costs. Old windows and doors that don’t fit quite right are the most common causes of drafts. Putting door seals on exterior doors and installing weatherstripping around the windows can seal up cracks and prevents drafts. If you have an older home, it may be time to check the home’s attic insulation. New insulation can save you a lot of money on heating costs.
Use Ceiling Fans in the Winter:
Ceiling fans in the winter? It’s true, using your ceiling fans in the winter can actually help you conserve energy. Just make sure to change the direction of the fan so that it’s keeping heat in instead of sending hot air up.
During the summertime, ceiling fans should be set to a counterclockwise or forward direction. This motion creates a breeze that pushes warm air upwards and encourages cooler air to circulate downward, providing a refreshing cooling effect. To switch your ceiling fan’s rotation, simply use the fan’s directional switch, typically located near the motor. That will push the warm air down and circulate it throughout your home.
Close Off Unused Rooms:
If there are rooms in your home that don’t get a lot of use during the cold weather, like a spare bedroom or the laundry room, close those rooms off so that you’re not paying to heat rooms that aren’t getting used. Close the vents in those rooms, and keep the door shut.
Turn the Temperature Setting Down at Night:
Did you know that most doctors recommend sleeping in a cool room for better health? It’s true. You can save money on your energy costs and you may get a better night’s sleep by turning the thermostat down a few degrees before bed. Energy,gov claims that you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by lowering your thermostat settings between 7-10 degrees for at least eight hours a day from your normal setting in the winter and 7-10 degrees higher than normal for the same 8 daily hours in the summer.
If you have a programmable thermostat you can create a routine for your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at night and automatically increase it in the morning so the house is warm when you get up.
Get Your Furnace Checked Today with A+ Plumbing!
If you have noticed your energy bills going up, or if your furnace seems to be working more than it should be, call A+ Plumbing at (603) 518-5777 or reach out to us on our website. | |
