Reduce Energy Costs this Winter

When you are thinking about saving money on heating costs this winter, there are several things you can do. The most important thing is to make sure the furnace is maintained on a regular basis. This can help to produce the heat that is desired from the thermostat and furnace.

Installing a programmable thermostat is helpful in many ways, including by reducing your heating and cooling bill by about ten percent. This type of thermostat allows you to keep the temperature of your home comfortable while you are there. It also allows you to use less energy when you are gone or asleep at night. Newer models can even be controlled via your smartphone or tablet. By investing in a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature for different hours of the day, and days of the week. This will help to enter a schedule that you and your family have, so the furnace will keep the desired temperature when you are home. When you leave for work or school, the temperature can decrease so you do not have to waste heat or money on it.

Letting the sun shine in during the winter months to add extra warmth to your home can be beneficial. This will also help to reduce the need for artificial lighting. In the summer, close blinds and curtains, preferably ones that are lighter in color to reflect heat, in order to keep the heat out. By doing this, you can help reduce heating and cooling costs. In the winter, open blinds that are able to allow sunshine in to warm up the room or rooms of your home. This can help reduce the amount of time the furnace has to operate and produce warm air.

Keep appliances maintained to ensure that they will continue to run at their maximum efficiency. Be sure to replace filters on your heating and cooling systems as recommended. You may also want to have an energy audit done at your home to identify any energy wasters in your home. Fixing an issue at the first sign can help save time, money, and stress in the long run. It will also prevent issues occurring to other parts of the heating system.