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From extra layers of clothes, to candles, to only eating hot soup and drinking hot tea, or using space heaters in certain areas of the home and keeping the ceiling fan on, there have been many ways people have tried to reduce their heating bill and save money on their energy bills. 

One of the first things we think of is energy efficiency, and if our HVAC system is Energy Star rated. Energy-efficient heating systems can absolutely help keep home heating energy bills under control, and the Department of Energy wants to see homeowners installing these kinds of heat pumps and central heating systems in place after an energy audit or home improvement project, which then allows homeowners to both see lower utility bills and have a positive impact on the environment.

There are many ways of saving money on heating costs, and you can achieve them with just a few Kansas City, MO HVAC services.

 

1. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Many will program their thermostat with the “set it and forget it” method. In other words, they set the temperature to a number that seems reasonable and then let it run. If it gets too hot, they turn it down. If it gets too cold, they turn it up. So when it’s time to save on energy costs, the natural thing to do is to just “use it less than normal.”

Unfortunately, that’s a lot of guesswork, so it becomes difficult to monitor your energy saving efforts. That’s where a smart or programmable thermostat can help keep your HVAC system in check and save you money.

By setting up a program, you can set a standard for heating usage and monitor your usage from there. If one month’s bill is particularly high, you’ll know it’s because you deviated too much from your schedule. With a smart thermostat, you can be even more precise by monitoring daily usage, making it easier to get the heated air up, and energy costs down, with a smart thermostat setting the pace for the system. It feels good to be able to warm up AND save a lot of money!

 

2. Install a Whole-House Humidifier

This isn’t something you’d expect to see on this list, but allow me to explain:

When there’s moisture in the air, your body will feel warmer than it actually is. This is why high-humidity hot air days in the summer feel so uncomfortable. When we have dry air on hot days, it doesn’t feel nearly as hard to handle.

In the winter, the cold weather air is typically far less humid. By balancing the humidity with a whole-house humidifier, you can bring some of that moisture back in the air and warm your body up just enough to feel more comfortable—without having to crank up the thermostat.

 

3. Change the Air Filter Regularly

The air filter is necessary to keep dirt out of the heater, but it will become clogged over time. When it does, the airflow to the heater will be restricted, resulting in your heater having to use more energy. On an hourly basis, that increase may not look like much, but over the course of days and weeks, you can expect it to add up.

Furnace filters are a low cost way of keeping your electric bill down in the winter months.

 

4. Sealing Air Leaks

When your home has air leaks you will experience heat loss and cold air will make its way into your home, reducing the warm air in the home and increasing your heating bill. Weatherstripping, window caulk, ductwork tape, and other sealants are available on Amazon or other local retailers and can make a noticeable difference. 

Simply making sure you don’t open curtains when it’s extremely cold out can make an impact, but applying caulking to the edges to ensure there are no air leaks will prevent undue heat loss and help reduce your energy bills.

 

5. Keep Up With Maintenance

I also can’t end this post without mentioning the importance of regular maintenance. The main goal of maintenance is to keep your system running smoothly and to prevent any serious repair issues. However, it’s possible for repair issues to persist without showing any obvious symptoms. This can lead you to believe your heater is performing just fine when, in reality, it could desperately use a tune-up. As a result, getting that tune-up can help significantly improve performance and lower the heating bill. You can also have other appliances like water heaters, air purifiers or humidifiers maintenance during the same period.

For more HVAC-contractor-approved efficiency tips, contact Climate Control Heating & Cooling. Comfort and Care From the Team With the Bear.