Learn HVAC Tips for Saving Money During the Winter

Saving money on your utility bill during the winter in our region can be challenging. Winter is long, and temperatures can be consistently cold for most of the heating season. But with today’s modern HVAC equipment, you can expect much greater efficiency while maintaining a consistent level of comfort. Even if you have an older, less-efficient HVAC system — say, a 20-year-old furnace that still works pretty good despite its age — there are things you can do to increase your comfort level and your likelihood of saving money on heating bills.

Here are some tips for saving money this winter:

1. Let the sun shine in. Yes, we have plenty of cold, cloudy days during the winter, but whenever the sun shines, you can make use of that solar radiation to warm up your home. Open curtains, blinds, or shades and let the sun warm up your interior.
2. Air-seal your home. Your home may well have lots of minute cracks that let out not only your conditioned air but let in unconditioned cold air. Go around your home and hold a lit incense stick next to baseboards; wall sockets and electrical plates; attic hatches; recessed lighting; any hole in an exterior wall for pipes, cables, or wires; or windows and doors. If the smoke wavers, you have an air leak. Seal leaks with insulation, caulk, or weatherstripping.
3. Change your air filter. Running the HVAC with a dirty air filter will slow down airflow, causing your heating system to work overtime to reach your set thermostat points. A system that strains to heat will cost you more money on your bill than you should be paying, and it can also cause the system to malfunction or break down.
4. Install a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat. With a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, you can set a money-saving schedule and stick to it, lowering the heat several degrees at night when people are sleeping or during the day when they are away from home.

Also, don’t forget to schedule your annual preventative maintenance visit with your HVAC consultant — another way of saving money. Contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning today.