Simple Tips to Save on Your Heating Costs

Every homeowner knows the cost of running a furnace, especially during peak season. Since it’s a necessity, you can’t just turn it off. Not running your furnace can lead to severe consequences. Even if you’re on a budget, you perhaps are still looking for ways to conserve energy and save some money on energy.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted heating company in North Oaks MN. We are all about helping homeowners maintain comfort in their homes while making sure they don’t spend too much on heat.

Here are easy but effective ideas you might want to consider.

Maximize sunlight.

Even when the outside temperature is extremely cold, the sun’s rays still deliver some heat into your home—at no charge. This added heat helps reduce the need for your furnace to run.

You can get direct sunlight on the south side of your house, so keeping your curtains open during the day should help lower your heating bills. Also, trim any shrubs or tree branches that block the sunlight around your windows to make the most of the heat.

Disconnect vampire appliances.

Connected home electronics, such as TVs, computers, and gaming consoles can continue consuming electricity even when turned off. Failure to unplug these devices when not in use can cost you as much as $200 per year. So, disconnect idle gadgets. You can also invest in energy-saving power strips to turn off the power supply when these devices are not in use.

Manage insulation leaks.

According to ENERGY STAR, a typical house with forced-air heating loses about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the system to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. 

Caulking or weather-stripping keeps your house comfortable and your energy bills at a minimum. So, inspect windows and doors for gaps that let cold air in and let heated air escape. These projects are quite affordable and can be done without the need for formal training, so be sure to try them out and see your energy costs significantly dropping in the months to come.

Sealing off leaks within your ductwork can help you save at least 10 percent on your heating bills. If ducts remain ignored for years, they begin to develop cracks that cause you to waste a significant amount of energy. Some homeowners try to cover these duct leaks with the use of duct tapes. However, this doesn’t prove to be a long-term solution as the sealed ductworks tend to dry and fall over time.

For best results, consider working with a professional who will fix all the leaking ducts and make sure they are properly sealed. There may be an upfront cost, but you can save money in the long run since you will no longer have to worry about wasting energy on leaky ducts.

Humidify your home.

In the summer, you do your best to get rid of too much humidity because water holds heat. But in the winter, you want to do the opposite. Therefore, add some humidity to your indoor air. When there is enough moisture in the air, it feels warmer, which allows you to lower your thermostat settings. Not only does humidity help you lower your energy costs, but it also helps you minimize pesky static electricity in your home.

Maintain your filters.

Proper airflow is essential for your furnace to run efficiently. A regular inspection of the filter needs to be done to ensure that there are no blockages to the system's airflow. Such restrictions force your furnace’s fan motor to overwork, using more energy. This issue can cause damage to your system and significantly increase your electric bill.

Clean or replace your filters regularly to avoid the buildup of dust and dirt within your heating system. Accumulated dirt and debris can cause your furnace to have multiple issues such as frozen evaporator coils and depleted heating, causing you to set the thermostat to a much lower temperature.

Ask Four Seasons Air Specialists

The single most effective way to save heating costs is to keep your furnace in good condition. Give us a call to schedule a preventive tune-up on your heating system. As your reliable White Bear heating and air conditioning maintenance company, we will make sure your unit works as effortlessly as possible.