It’s time to get up and start the day. You venture out of bed and are greeted by a beautifully warm rush of air from your heating system. That’s the way everyone wants to begin their winter mornings, isn’t it?
However, if your energy bills were a little too high last year you may feel like you should cut back on the use of your heating system this year and forego feeling quite so warm and happy as you head out to face the world. But the fact is that it does not have to be that way at all.
Luckily, there are ways to cut costs on your heating bill and stay warm in winter that don’t involve half -freezing or piling on all the blankets and sweaters in your home. Here are a few of the best of them:
Seal Your Windows
All too often a home’s heating system is working overtime because a lot of the heat it is putting out is being lost to the great outdoors thanks to leaky windows. Even newer windows can be affected, and if yours are older it’s almost a certainty.
However, you don’t need to call in the window installer just yet. A visit to your local hardware store and about 20 minutes of your time is all it takes to make sure your windows aren’t letting in streams of cold air. Purchase a window sealing kit; before long, it will pay for itself, and they are very inexpensive in the first place anyway.
Practice Good Drape Management
Some people think that if they leave their blinds or drapes closed during the day they will trap more heat and help keep their heating bills down. This isn’t quite the case though. During the day your drapes should be open, as even winter sunlight has the power to warm things up. Once it goes away for the day, close those drapes up though, because yes, once darkness falls you need them to trap in the heat.
Don’t Block Your Heaters
Sometimes something as simple as a little furniture rearrangement in your home can help the heat flow far more freely. Ensure that nothing blocks your heater/heating vents and that includes things like the sofa or even an area rug.
If you have pets keep an eye out for them lying on a vent and blocking it. They often think it’s the best thing in the world – such a nice tummy warmer – but they are preventing the rest of the household from sharing in the warmth properly, so it’s time for them to share!
Change Your Filters
A dirty, dusty air filter will force your HVAC system to work far harder than it should, and that will increase your heating bill immediately. Therefore, making sure you head into the winter with clean filters is a must. But this should not be a once-a-season thing. A good rule of thumb is to change your air filters every one to three months, depending on which type of air filter you choose to buy.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
There is really no reason why your heat should run at the same temperature all the time, and there is certainly no reason to overheat an empty home when everyone is at work or school. However, coming home to a cold house is no fun, so the temptation is to leave the heat running all day so that you won’t have to and everyone can stay warm.
There is a better way though. Installing a programmable thermostat will allow you to regulate the heat on an as needed basis. For example, you can use a programmable thermostat to schedule your heat to begin running 30 minutes before you wake up and 30 minutes before you return home from work or school.
If you have any questions about our range of services, or need help to stay warm in winter by upgrading your heating system, please do not hesitate to contact us on 816-436-1000 or email us: service@arcticairkc.com. One of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be happy to assist you in any way they can and answer all your queries.