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Your heating and cooling system accounts for a significant percentage of your home’s energy usage. During the summer and winter months, you use your HVAC system more, which in turn increases your utility bill. If you’re looking to keep your home warm but lower your bills this winter, you don’t need to worry about sacrificing comfort! The professionals at Raynor are sharing some tips to not only save energy but keep you comfortable all winter long.
Check the temperature of your home.
The Department of Energy estimates savings of about 1% for each degree you lower your thermostat below 70. Just a 2-degree decrease, from 70 to 68, can achieve annual savings of about 10%. During the winter months, try setting your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day, and if possible, drop the temperature down by 10 degrees at night when everyone is sleeping and warm. Additionally, never turn your heat completely off if you’re traveling. Bringing your home back to a comfortable temperature uses more energy, so it’s best to lower your thermostat down a few degrees if you’re leaving the house for an extended time.
Invest in a smart thermostat.
A smart thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature in your home for peak energy efficiency while also learning specific habits and preferences (like when you’re away or asleep) to establish a schedule. It’s estimated that a smart thermostat can save you around $180 a year in energy costs.
Keep your fans on.
While your fan keeps you cool in the summer, it can also help circulate air in the winter to keep you warm. If your fan has a reverse switch, flip it when you turn your heat on for the winter. Normally, your fan’s blades spin counterclockwise, pushing air down and producing a cooling effect. When you make the switch, your fan spins clockwise, creating an updraft that allows the hot air to circulate throughout the rest of the room.
Let the sun in during the day.
One of the simplest ways to save energy and decrease your energy use during the day is to open your blinds or curtains. By doing so, you trap the sun’s warmth inside your home, better known as the greenhouse effect. Remember to close them at night because your windows can be a source of heat loss if they’re not insulated properly.
Close doors and vents in unused rooms.
If you have a guest bedroom or your kids are away at college, try closing the doors and vents in these rooms. These unoccupied areas of your home waste valuable energy. Closing them off helps to focus the heat into the most used spaces in your home.
Eliminate leaks and drafts.
Your doors and windows are the most noticeable sources of drafts. Check for leaks around these areas and if you spot any, install weather-stripping or caulk to stop the drafts and further reduce heating costs.
Try a fireplace plug.
While you enjoy the warm glow of your fireplace at night, during the day when it’s not in use, almost 20% of your home’s heat escapes up the chimney. A fireplace plug or flue blocker is an inexpensive way to reduce drafts when you’re not keeping warm by the fire.
Maintain your heating system.
Basic maintenance on your heating system can help you save big on your utility bill! Ensure your filters are clean and consider hiring a professional to inspect your unit. If your system is 15 years or older, an upgraded unit can improve efficiency. At Raynor, we offer the highest quality heating services around, whether it’s heating repair, system maintenance, or installing a new system.
Quality Heating Services from Raynor
Heating your home in the winter can be costly, but it doesn’t have to be! When you choose Raynor to fix your home heating problems, you can rest assured we offer the best service at the most affordable price. Contact us today at 609-451-2080 so we can get started.
