Winter is here, and with it comes the season of freezing temperatures. It is essential to stay warm throughout this time of year. However, now is the time to monitor your heating bills since this is when they tend to spike. So, how can you save money on heating? Here are a few simple steps.
Have Your HVAC System Serviced
The first step toward lowering your winter heating costs is to inspect and tune up your HVAC system. This is crucial because it will help ensure that any system faults are rectified before they become larger and more costly issues down the road. If you haven’t had your HVAC system checked in a while, now is a great time to schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician. They can help you determine how reliable or unreliable your HVAC system is.
Seal Leaks Around Your Home
If you have any leaks around windows or doors, it’s important to have them sealed. You can do this through caulking or weather stripping on the outside or inside of your house. Check for any other breaches as well.
Make Sure Doors and Windows Are Closed Tightly
Leaving doors and windows partially open can make your home feel drafty, raising your heating costs. Warm air goes from one location to another through open windows and doors, causing drafts. For example, if you leave a window open at night while sleeping and allow cold air to enter, heat will not be able to circulate freely throughout your home. This especially happens in places with no direct heat sources, such as bathrooms. As a result, overall heating is less effective. So, ensuring all your doors and windows are tightly closed is important.
Bundle Up
The more clothing you wear, the less heat you’ll need for your home throughout the winter. Depending on your tolerance for cold, wearing a sweater over a short-sleeved shirt or switching to thicker slacks may improve your comfort. Walking around your home barefoot in the winter isn’t smart. Warm socks will keep your feet warm. It’s an excellent idea to have an extra blanket or two on your bed so you can simply dial down your thermostat while sleeping. You can also keep warm without turning up the heat by curling up under a blanket while watching television or reading a book.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are another efficient way to keep your home warm in the winter. They use less energy than heating systems, which means you can save on your heating bills. If you have a ceiling fan, ensure it runs clockwise throughout the winter. The rotation of the blades in a clockwise direction should pull air upward, allowing warm air trapped at the ceiling to circulate down the walls and around the room. Stand beneath the fan to check that the blades are whirling in this direction. You should not feel any air blowing down on you.
With these smart tips, you can save money on your winter heating bill. Contact Payne for more information on HVAC maintenance plans and other services in Tallahassee, FL.
