The harsh Indiana winters can mean having to shell out extra money on your energy bills. Running the furnace constantly in order to keep your home warm really adds up. And at a time of year when you’re already spending money on gifts and travel and lavish meals with friends and family, saving pennies anywhere you can really helps. So, here are a few tips and tricks to help reduce your heating bill this season!
Invest in a High-Efficiency HVAC System
In the HVAC industry, we’re living through a technological revolution, with the advent of variable-speed motors, advanced thermostats, and incredible fuel-utilization ratios. By upgrading your HVAC system, you immediately get much better heating and cooling results with way less energy. Replacing your old HVAC system may seem like a big investment, but it’ll pay for itself sooner than you might think. And not only do we frequently offer discounts on new equipment, but you can also get rebates and tax credits from the government, just by upgrading to energy-efficient options.
Put Up Thermal Curtains
Glass isn’t really the best insulator, which means a lot of your home’s heat escapes through the windows, even when they’re closed. But you can manage that issue with something called a “thermal curtain.” This is a heavy-duty curtain that stops your heat from escaping. And in doing so, it reduces your heat waste and lowers your energy bill.
Consider Zone Control
With most HVAC systems, when you turn the furnace on, you’re telling it to heat your entire home. And sometimes, that’s great! But other times, you’re heating up your guest room while it’s empty. You’re heating up your basement when no one’s down there. And you’re heating up the first floor, when everyone’s asleep upstairs. But you can solve that problem with something called “zone control.” Zone control makes it possible to only heat the rooms and areas of the house that are actually being used…which means you’re not paying to heat the rooms that see less action. (Pro tip: while zone control is awesome, it isn’t an option for all households. Give us a call to see if it’s right for your home!)
Lower Your Thermostat
Are you heating up your home to 72 degrees? Somewhere along the line, we’ve all been told that’s the ideal indoor temp, but you might be going overboard. Many people are actually quite comfortable at 70 degrees, or even 68. And later, when you go to bed, you might be comfortable at 65 degrees (in fact, sleep scientists recommend lower sleeping temperatures). See how low you can set the thermostat and still be comfortable—you might be surprised! And you’ll definitely be pleased at the savings when your next heating bill comes around.
Upgrade to Storm Doors (and Windows)
As the name indicates, a storm door is an extra door that keeps out the messy Midwestern weather. Similarly, a storm window is a double-paned window that protects your home against the elements. And both of these are great insulators, too! By adding these extra layers of protection, you’ll hang onto even more of your heat, and spend less money on energy.
Get a WiFi Thermostat
A WiFi thermostat allows you to control your HVAC system from anywhere—even if you’re miles away from home. So, if you forget to turn off your heat when you leave for vacation, no problem! You just pull up an app on your phone, and turn it off remotely. A WiFi thermostat also allows you to set multiple schedules, one for every day of the week, if you want. This eliminates human error and the financial waste that comes with it.
Seal Your Home
If your home is feeling drafty, it could be that some of your heat is escaping through cracks around your windows and doorways. So, be sure to find those drafts and seal them off before the worst of the winter weather arrives. Weatherstripping and caulk are great for this. Weatherstripping seals your moving parts, like doors and windows. And caulk seals your stationary parts, like your window frame. Also, be sure to close your fireplace damper when it’s not in use. Because if you’re wasting your heat, then you’re wasting your money.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Preventative HVAC maintenance, especially at Appel, is a comprehensive check and tune-up of your whole system. We’ll change your filters, lubricate your components, and calibrate your equipment. Each of those upgrades, when done regularly, helps to keep everything running as efficiently as possible. By signing up for a maintenance plan, you can increase your efficiency and lower your energy bill.
Keeping your home warm throughout the winter can be expensive. But if you implement a few tips and tricks, your bill will start to fall. So, get the tune-ups, lower your thermostat, and seal your drafts. And prepare to enjoy a cozy winter season…for much less!