Energy-Saving Heating Tips for Winter

Winter may not officially arrive until December 21st, but the chill in the air is here to stay. Keep reading to learn our top tips to stay warm without breaking the bank this season!

Does turning your heat down save money?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning back your set temperature 10-15 degrees for 8 hours a day can save you up to 10% on your heating costs! Simply lower the temperature while you’re sleeping or away from home to save big on your energy bills.

How can I reduce my heating bill?

Lowering your set temperature is a great way to reduce your heating costs, but with so many of us home for the holidays due to COVID concerns, it may not always be a practical solution. Another simple way to reduce your energy costs year-round is to invest in a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to have direct control over your comfort, and some models will even track your energy use throughout the day--allowing you to make micro-adjustments whenever you need.

If you aren’t going out of town and are still worried about the cost of heating your home and keeping your family comfortable, try some of these alternative ways to keep your home warmer, longer--with little to no additional energy use!

Decorate for Cold Weather

The first chill of the season is a great time to decorate for the holidays--but it’s also a great excuse to break out some cozy favorites to make your home look and feel warmer! Add some fluffy throw blankets to the couch and put your favorite flannel sheets on your bed for a cozy way to stay warm while relaxing. You can also invest in rugs and insulated curtains, which help to trap warm air inside your home and prevent cold feet in the mornings.

Let the Light In

Open the curtains or blinds on your sun-facing windows during the day to let the sun heat your home for free! Once the sun sets in the evenings, close your blinds to reduce heat loss.

Switch Your Fan

Ceiling fans operate by moving warm air around your home—on a higher setting, they can create a wind chill effect that can make you feel up to 8 degrees cooler! However, not many people want to feel cooler in the winter--so why use your fan?

Your ceiling fan actually has two settings. By switching your fan to run in ‘reverse’, your fan blades will spin the opposite direction and pull any warm air that’s risen to the ceiling back down to the ground level where you can feel it. Your fan should run counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter--it’s also worth noting that turning your fan on too high will still create the wind chill effect, which can make your home feel chilly, so keep it on a low setting for the best results.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

High energy bills can be a sign of furnace malfunction or failure when your heating system has to work harder to get your home to your set temperature, your energy bills spike. Annual maintenance helps to catch small issues before they become big problems, saving you on your comfort and high repair costs.

Annual maintenance is the best, most cost-effective way to keep your home comfortable and reduce your energy bills at the same time. Pre-maintenance should be scheduled before you need to use your system to make sure your furnace is ready to go as soon as you need to turn it on. Simple repairs can make your heating system work more efficiently, but if you have a furnace nearing the end of its life, it may actually save you more money (and headaches) to upgrade your system.

If you’re struggling to keep your home warm this winter, it may be time for you to call Bob's Heating & Air Conditioning. Our technicians can help you figure out if your solution is a simple repair or if you’ll be better off replacing your furnace. Contact our team right away if you think you need a furnace replacement—our Pre-Season Furnace Sale lasts until November 30th, and you can save up to 20% on a new furnace or generator to better prepare your home for cold weather!

Learn more about the Pre-Season Furnace Sale  here and message us on Facebook or call our team at 800-840-3346 to schedule an appointment!