With winter just around the corner, most homeowners are turning up the heat as the cold weather creeps in. In what is an annual discussion, every year homeowners wonder how they can save on their energy bills every winter.
This year, we wanted to take it from an idea and make it a reality with these tips. As a professional South Jersey HVAC contractor, we know what it takes to keep your home warm and comfortable. We also know how to save money while doing it.
Adjust Your Thermostat Each Day
One of the biggest opportunities for saving energy during the winter is being aware of what temperature your heating system is set at all times. If you are gone during the day, you should lower your thermostat before you leave. If you like it cool at night, lower the thermostat while you sleep. If you take a vacation or are out all day during the weekends, adjust the thermostat while you’re away.
The best way to save energy is to make sure your system is only running when necessary. If no one is home or everyone is sleeping, it is much more efficient to adjust the thermostat. Instead, most homeowners tend to set the thermostat to a temperature and leave it there no matter what. Being aware of the temperature at all times in your home is essential for saving energy.
Pay Attention To The Sun
While your heating system is one way to heat your home, it is not the only way. The sun is a great source of heat and should be used during the winter to help keep your home warm. That means being sure you open the curtains and blinds during the day when the sun is up. This lets the sun into your home and takes advantage of the greenhouse effect.
Likewise, you also need to pay attention to when the sun sets. The same way opening your curtains during the day will help heat your home up, closing them at night will help trap the heat at night. Windows are not as insulated as your walls, so when night rolls around or the sun is stuck behind the clouds, it is best to keep your curtains shut to keep the heat in.
Shut Out Unused Areas
There are always areas of the house that don’t get used. Whether it’s a spare bedroom, closet or a den, you likely have a few rooms in your house that are used sparingly. When it comes to heating your home, if you don’t pay attention, you will waste a lot of money heating these areas.
When you turn the heat on in your home, go to these unused areas and either shut the vents or close the doors to these rooms, so that way they don’t waste the energy trying to heat them when they are rarely used.
Check Your Water Heater Thermostat
This is not specific to winter, but one of the highest sources of energy use in your home is your water heater. Check the water heater thermostat the same way you would your heating system. If it is set at a really high temperature, you should turn it down a few degrees, as your water heater works constantly to keep water at that temperature.
Have Your Heating System Checked
The most effective, but most overlooked way to save energy this winter is to have your heating system checked. This is especially true if you have had heater repairs in South Jersey in the past few years. While you can do a lot to save yourself energy, at the end of the day, if you have a dated, inefficient heating system, you are likely going to keep paying more for your energy bills each month.
There isn’t a single homeowner that doesn’t want to save money each month on their energy bills. And with these tips, this year, you can turn that idea into reality.