Times are tight in Houston right now, and every penny counts. Yet nobody wants to freeze. While we might not be the coldest city in the world, the city can get pretty wet and chilly during the winter months! Fortunately, there are some proactive steps you can take to lower your heating bill while keeping your home relatively comfortable.
#1) Use a programmable thermostat.
Older thermostats don’t do a good job of controlling the temperature, which is why so many homeowners find themselves trying to adjust the temperature up or down.
A programmable thermostat gives you a consistent temperature and ensures you’re only actively heating the home when you need to.
#2) Choose a reasonable temperature.
Some people like to blast the interior of their homes with heat until every room feels like the Sahara Desert. It’s a valid desire if you can afford it, but it’s a terrible way to save money on your heating bill.
Try to choose a temperature between 69 and 72 degrees to keep your house comfortable while keeping your heating bill as low as possible.
#3) Turn down your heater at night.
You’re probably going to spend your sleep time under a pile of blankets, right? Given said blanket nest, you probably don’t need to keep the house as hot at night as you do during the daytime when you’re moving around.
Lowering the heat by a few degrees when you plan to be out of the house can help you shave a few dollars off your electric bill, too.
#4) Mind the gap.
Want to pay to heat the great outdoors? If you haven’t taken a good hard look at gaps in your windows and doors lately, then you’re doing just that.
Caulking, weatherstripping, and sealing can help you keep the hot air inside where it belongs. It might also be a good idea to get your insulation checked while you’re at it.
#5) Avoid heating unused rooms.
Closing doors and closing vents can help control the flow of heat through your home, directing it only to the rooms you’re actively using. This reduces the square footage that’s being addressed and lowers your energy bill accordingly.
Get help with your heater.
Sometimes, you aren’t the problem. If your heater isn’t heating right, it might need some TLC from HVAC professionals like us.
We can inspect your heater and determine why it’s doing a bad job of keeping your house warm and can set you up with the repair that will help you get comfortable again.
Need help? Schedule service today.
