How to Save On Your Heating Bills This Winter
Winter in the desert might sound mild, but Arizona residents know better. While daytime temperatures may hover in the 60s, desert nights can dip below freezing. When temperatures drop, your heating bill rises to keep your family warm.
The good news? Cutting down on your heating costs doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. By making a few simple adjustments and adopting energy-saving habits, you can lower your energy use and save money this winter. At Semper Fi Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help with 7 tips on how to lower your energy consumption this winter and save money.
Dress Warm & Turn Down the Thermostat
The first thing you can try is turning down your thermostat. You don’t need to drop it into the 40s and freeze yourself and your family—even dropping a few degrees below your normal can save you some money. You can safely drop it as low as 64 degrees without causing harm to your family or pets.
The more you bundle up, the lower you can drop your thermostat. You’ll need less heat if you’re wearing a hoodie and sweatpants than if you’re wearing a tank top and shorts in the house. However, the idea is to find a temperature that still keeps your family safe and comfortable, so don’t feel like you have to buy a winter coat to sit in your home. Get snuggly and save yourself some money.
According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), you could save as much as 10% on your energy bill a year just by lowering your thermostat by a few degrees during the day. In the winter, you can lower your standard thermostat setting by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours during the day when nobody is home. In areas with milder winters, such as Arizona, this minor decrease can lower your heating bill and save you money in the long run.
Seal Leaks and Improve Insulation
You want your home to hold in all the warm air from your HVAC system and keep out the cold from the outside. Proper insulation in your attic and ducts makes sure no cold air creeps in and no warm air leaks out. You can schedule a home inspection to take a look at your attic and ducts and check for any damage or leaks. They can also seal any leaks they find so you save energy and money this winter season.
You can also check your windows and doors for any gaps or leaks. Pay attention to the seal around your windows and exterior doors for any cracks or gaps in the weather stripping or caulking. If you notice a draft coming from your window and a gap in the seal, you can seal them on your own with a caulk gun or additional weather stripping from the home improvement store.
If you notice a draft coming from the bottom of your door, you can get a door draft stopper that fits on the bottom of the door to prevent cold air from entering your home.
Take Advantage of Sunlight
While the sun may not be out for as long during the winter months, this doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. The sun still provides heat that can help keep your family warm without running the HVAC system as much. If you have blinds or curtains on your windows, be sure to open them during the day so the sun’s rays can filter in and help heat your home. In the winter, the sun is your friend, so be sure to take advantage of the free warmth it has to offer.
When nighttime rolls around, be sure to close your blinds to add an extra layer of insulation around your windows. It may not seem like much, but having curtains or blinds on your window can help block out the cold and keep your family warm.
Reverse the Direction of Your Ceiling Fan
Did you know your ceiling fan spins both clockwise and counterclockwise? Your fan’s standard setting should have it pushing air down into the room, making it feel cooler and creating a nice breeze.
However, switching the direction of your fan can help your home feel warmer. Hot air naturally rises, meaning your heat wants to drift towards the ceiling. If you switch the fan direction, it’ll pull air up towards the ceiling and push it towards the edges of the room and back down to the floor. Your ceiling fan will help circulate the warm air in your home and keep you comfortable without having to run your furnace more.
If you’re not sure what direction your fan is spinning, hold your hand a couple of inches away from it and see if you feel any air movement. If you feel air being pushed down into the room, then you can reverse the direction so it pulls air up. Each model of ceiling fan is slightly different, but there should be a small switch on the side of the fan that changes its spin direction. Be sure to turn your fan off before you try to flip the switch.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
With a busy schedule and everything else you have to manage, you might feel like you can’t keep up with having to manually change your thermostat setting multiple times a day. Luckily, there’s a way around this. Smart thermostats allow you to customize your thermostat settings depending on the weather or time of day.
With a smart thermostat, you can set your home to be at different temperatures at different times of day. For example, you could program it to be at 72 degrees from 8am to 5pm and then bump up to 76 degrees from 5pm to 8am the next day.
If you’re interested in upgrading to a smart thermostat, you can work with your local HVAC company to help you get it installed and set up properly in your home. Some models require an internet connection to your home’s HVAC system, and a professional company can help make sure everything is good to go before winter officially hits.
Change Your Air Filter
The air filters in your HVAC system play a crucial role in the overall efficiency of your system. Depending on your unit and the size of your filters, they should be replaced every few months to keep your system running smoothly and your home clean. New air filters also improve airflow and make it so your system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat your home.
You can also upgrade your air filters to HEPA filters. They are slightly more expensive than traditional air filters, but they catch more airborne particles and keep your home cleaner. They also keep your HVAC system running more efficiently, saving you money over time.
Regular Furnace Maintenance
A great way to be proactive about your energy savings is with regular furnace maintenance appointments. These appointments include an inspection, cleaning, and servicing of your heating system to make sure it’s running efficiently and ready for the cold winter. Many HVAC companies recommend maintenance appointments at least twice a year, once before winter and once again before summer.
If you need local furnace maintenance services, our team at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling is ready to help. Our team will make sure your furnace is ready to go before winter hits, so your family stays nice and warm. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
