According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly half the energy you use in your home goes toward heating or cooling. Looking for ways to save money on your heating bills? These three tips could help you cut your monthly utility bills while staying comfortable.
1. Turn Your Thermostat Down Before You Turn In
Experts say that the ideal room temperature for a good night’s sleep is between 60° and 67° Fahrenheit. This is also good news for your wallet in the wintertime, as decreasing your thermostat by ten degrees may be able to help you save as much as 10 percent on your energy costs. It’s a good idea, too, to turn your thermostat down when you’re going off to work or leaving the house for an extended length of time.
2. Weatherize Your Windows
The Department of Energy estimates that as much as 30 percent of a home’s heating energy can literally go out the window if your windows are loose in their frames. The glazing putty that holds your old windows in place grows brittle with age and can shrink away from the glass beneath them. Additionally, wood sashes can actually shrink over time. Even newer aluminum window frames can let in drafts if their gaskets and weather-stripping are worn.
If you don’t want to caulk around your windows, tape clear plastic to the inside of your window frames during the colder months. A heavy-duty sheet of clear plastic will work well, too, as will window shades.
3. Seal Your Air Ducts
That system of air ducts that branches through your walls and ceiling is a vital part of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and one of the main culprits when it comes to wasting energy. Examining your air ducts for leaks and sealing and insulating any leaky ducts you find is a reliable way to reduce heat loss.
Let a Qualified Expert Help
The most effective way to save money on your heating bills is to make sure your furnace or heat pump is getting the maintenance services it needs to keep operating at top efficiency. Contact Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today to schedule maintenance service for your Peoria heating system.
