Regardless of where you are in Missouri, the winter season brings about freezing temperatures every year. Staying warm indoors can be challenging without cranking up the heater 24/7. But that also means having to pay high utility bills every month. Fortunately, there are home hacks you can do to lower your heating bill, while also enjoying warm indoor climates. Here are eight tips.
1. Have Your Home Energy Audited
Establishing a baseline of how efficiently your current HVAC system is performing is the first step to making any meaningful modifications to it. A household energy audit pinpoints the areas in your home where heat is escaping and can then provide energy-saving solutions to resolve those heat-losing areas. Bring in a professional, like Bone Heating & Cooling, to perform an audit. A DIY approach is impractical since you will need specialized equipment and tools, which a professional HVAC company already has at its disposal.
2. Change Your Heating System’s Filter
Most furnaces, particularly forced-air units, have a filter that absorbs the dust, dirt, pet dander, and small particles in the air. As you use the heater during wintertime, this filter can start to accumulate large amounts of dirt and eventually become clogged, thereby, reducing your heating system’s operational efficiency. At the very least, this filter should be replaced at the start of every season. For Missouri homes that have pets, you may have to replace your filter every month for optimal results.
3. Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you are using a thermostat that’s several years old, malfunctions can lead to longer or shorter runtimes than what you set. You are also missing out on the new energy-saving features that modern smart thermostats come with. A smart thermostat can learn your temperature preferences and adjust your HVAC system accordingly. You can automate when it switches on and off, so you run your heater only when you’re home and at nighttime.
4. Insulate Your Home
Adding insulation, such as fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, and aerogel, helps keep stable indoor temperatures during extremely hot or cold days. Each insulation material has its own pros and cons that you’ll want to research to get the most out of your money. A professional can help you decide which insulation option best fits your budget and property. Insulate the walls and attic of your household to reduce monthly heating expenses. Unbeknownst to many homeowners, heat can be lost through the walls and roof of your home.
5. Invest in Ancillary Equipment
Space heaters and humidifiers might sound like unnecessary expenses but these appliances can serve a purpose in the coldest of months. Even if you have a central heating system, a space heater and humidifier can further improve your home’s temperature and air quality. A space heater also comes as a good compromise for households with multiple rooms but where traffic is usually concentrated in a single room. You can avoid using the central heating system and instead use the space heater to save money.
6. Use Fabrics to Keep Warm
A cheaper alternative to HVAC appliances is the use of fabric covers around the household. For instance, cover your bed with flannel sheets and your floors with rugs and carpets. Place warm thick blankets on your couch and bundle up with cotton-based clothing. Thermal sleeves and pants and a pair of thick socks can also help you keep warm during days when temperatures are at a freezing point.
7. Cook More
The winter months are the best time of the year to cook meals at home. Kitchen appliances, including your stove burner, oven, and even rice cooker, can produce heat. This residual hot air can circulate freely and help warm the indoor temperature. When cooking, avoid turning your vent fans on to keep the warm air from escaping through the ventilation.
8. Get a Yearly Maintenance Contract
Furnaces are built to last for decades, but they also need regular maintenance to make sure they are running correctly. A yearly maintenance contract simplifies the process of taking care of your heater and any other HVAC components you have. You also typically get better rates on maintenance and tune-up service contracts from a professional HVAC company, like Bone Heating & Cooling.
Bone Heating & Cooling has been helping Missouri households for more than 40 years with their heating and cooling needs. In addition to installation, repair, and maintenance for HVAC units, we also install fireplaces and water heaters. We are rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and have a ton of positive reviews and testimonials to show for our work. Contact Bone Heating & Cooling today for more information!
