5 Ways to Save on Your Energy Bill When It’s Cold Outside

February 19, 2020

Save on Costly Energy Bills This Winter With Our Top Tips

With rapid temperature changes that go from mild to cold in a matter of days, maintaining a comfortable climate in your home can be difficult. Preparing your home for those bouts of cold weather can help save you money on your energy bill and keep your home at a reasonable temperature all winter.

According to the Department of Energy, the amount of energy it takes to heat your home makes up about 42% of your energy bill. A combination of measures including air sealing, insulation, efficiency upgrades and maintenance can help you save up to 30%.

Start saving on your energy bill this winter with these affordable and simple steps:

Change furnace filters regularly

Start with the source of your warm air. Your furnace can’t operate efficiently if your air filters haven’t been changed in months. The frequency of filter changes can be dependent on multiple factors, such as if you have pets in your home. When using pleated filters, you should change your air filters at least every three months to allow your furnace to run at max efficiency. For fiberglass filters, USFILTERHOME recommends replacing every 30 days. This will help keep your energy bill down and extend the life of your furnace.
 

Keep air vents clear

The next most important part of your heating system are your vents. As part of your heating system that actually distributes air throughout your home, your vents should remain clear of any dust or debris. By taking a moment to clean your vents with a vacuum hose or a few swipes of a clean microfiber towels, plus ensuring furniture doesn’t cover the vents, you’ll be on your way to a much warmer and efficient home.

Seal drafts in windows and doors

The amount of air that escapes through the cracks under your windows and doors may seem insignificant, but over time, the energy loss means money out the window. The Department of Energy suggests a building pressurization test to determine whether or not you have a draft. Avoid losing valuable warm air in the winter by investing in weather stripping for your windows and entryways, and repair or replace existing weather stripping or caulk that has seen better days. Sealing in your warm air helps heat your indoor spaces more efficiently and saves you money in the long run.

Change the direction of your ceiling fans

In the winter, ceiling fans can be switched to rotate clockwise in order to properly distribute warm air throughout a room. Most ceiling fans are designed to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise, depending on the time of year. When your fans rotate clockwise, warm air is pulled toward the fan so it can be pushed back out across the room. You should be able to change the direction of your fan with a switch on the fan’s base. When the weather warms up outside, just flip the switch again to the opposite direction for cool air.

Lower the thermostat temperature when you’re away

Probably the easiest step of all, turning down your thermostat is sure to decrease your energy bill. Keeping your home at a lower than normal temperature when you’re away can limit the energy it takes to maintain a warm temperature without letting your pipes freeze.

The Mohr team always wants to make sure that you’re taking care of your heating system so you don’t experience any breakdowns. Of course, if you ever need a fast repair, we can be there in a hurry.