Think about how much you’re using your heater on a daily basis this season. It’s no secret that you’d probably like to know how to do so while avoiding costly energy bills. Sure, you can expect your utility bills to increase in the winter (and in the summer, for that matter) since HVAC systems account for half of all the energy use in a household.
However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to increase your heater’s efficiency and therefore lower costs. Actually, there are a number of steps you can take, and some don’t cost you anything but a minute of your time. Keeping heating efficiency up is also a good way to keep repair needs at bay since a higher efficiency system typically means a system that doesn’t accumulate wear and tear too quickly.
Read on as we uncover some of the easy ways you can use your heater more efficiently throughout the rest of winter and beyond.
Open Your Blinds and Curtains
You probably already know it’s a good idea to close your blinds and curtains in the summertime to keep the heat out. This is particularly true for south-facing windows. But the opposite is true in the wintertime when you want to keep heat in.
During the day, when sunlight is shining through these windows, throw open the curtains! Just be sure to close them again when the sun starts setting otherwise your home will cool down again very quickly.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fans
This is another great tip that many homeowners don’t think about in the wintertime. There is a switch near the center of your fan that enables you to reverse the direction of the fan blades, effectively pulling hot air down from the ceiling.
So when you’re in the room, it makes you feel warmer, and you can adjust the thermostat accordingly—then the heater won’t cycle on as early and you’ll be using the system more efficiently.
Program Your Thermostat
Don’t have a programmable thermostat? Consider making an upgrade! Setting the correct temperature is very important for proper heating efficiency. Lowering the temperature just by a few degrees when your home is unoccupied or when everyone is sleeping can save you hundreds on your yearly energy costs.
Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to create customized heating programs based on their own personal schedules. With this thermostat, you won’t have to run your heating system all day, even when you aren’t home.
Replace Clogged Air Filters!
There’s a common misconception among homeowners that the air filter that comes standard with an HVAC system I there to protect indoor air quality. But this isn’t actually the case—air filters are there to protect the HVAC system itself from getting clogged up with dirt, dust, and other debris that can get inside. When the air filter gets too clogged up like this, it restricts airflow and causes your HVAC system to run too long, and work too hard as a result, in order to reach your desired temperature.
Please reach out to our team for your HVAC needs in Joliet, IL. Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc., where we put your comfort first!