You can save money on your heating bill!
Last week we talked about a few different ways you can conserve gas and energy usage and save money on your monthly bills this fall and winter. Ideas like using a programmable thermostat or thermostat timer, turning your thermostat down for parties, during your “sleeping hours”, or when you go out of town, and also making sure your thermostat is not poorly placed in an area where it could receive false readings. This week, we have a few more tips for you to implement in order to lessen your gas/energy consumption and lower your monthly bills.
Did you know that exhaust fans that are commonly found in residential bathrooms and kitchens can pull out a houseful of heat in just one hour? That isn’t just warm, heated air you are losing – it is money! A substantial amount of money, actually. With how much it costs to heat a home, you should take precautions against using these exhaust fans. Limit their use as much as possible. If you do have to use them, be sure to turn them off as soon as they have completed their job. Keep your nice warm air where it should be – in your home!
You will also want to make sure that when you are not using your fireplace that you close the dampers. Once again, you are paying to heat your home – you don’t want that air being wasted. We recommend that if you use your fireplace on a regular basis, if you haven’t already, to invest in one that pulls less heat out of your home. On the same note, weather stripping drafty doors and windows, installing storm windows and doors, and caulking any cracks or openings in your home will also work to keep that warm air from leaking out of your home.
The easiest way to reduce your monthly energy/gas bill is to keep your thermostat set low. You will actually knock off about 3-5% off your bill for every degree you turn the thermostat down. The higher you set your thermostat, the harder your system has to work to heat your home – leaving you with a toasty home, but an astronomical bill at the end of the month. Keep your thermostat set at 68° or lower. And like we mentioned last week, turn your thermostat a few degrees lower at night when you will be sleeping. If 68° or lower is just too chilly for you – consider wearing a sweater, socks/slippers, or extra layers of clothing.
You should also make sure you are taking care of your heating system. Changing your air filters regularly, every month, will not only improve your indoor air quality, but it will keep your system running as efficiently as possible – saving you money on your bill. You should also have a professional heating company “tune-up” your heating system to avoid future breakdowns and to allow your system to work efficiently. This is also a good way to make sure there are no problems that could potentially cause a devastating house fire.
We hope that these tips will help you reduce your energy/gas bills this winter. If you have any other beneficial energy/gas conserving tips that were not mentioned, feel free to come by our Facebook page and share with our online community.
For more information about how to save money this winter, our maintenance plans, or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 770-942-2873 or contact us on the web at www.anchorac.com.