Of all the utilities you rely on in the wintertime, nothing surpasses the need to heat your home effectively and efficiently. It may seem like costly heating bills are unavoidable in the winter, but there are many things you can do to lower your heating bills:
Use a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats can be crucial when it comes to saving on heating bills. It may seem counter-productive to spend money when you're trying to save, but a one-time purchase can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
With a programmable thermostat, you can reduce the temperature at times when no one is home or when people are sleeping, thus saving you money. Likewise, you can program the temperature to rise before you get home or wake up without noticing the difference.
Many programmable thermostats can now be controlled via a mobile device or tablet. Some can even be controlled remotely when you're at work or running errands, making it even easier to control your home's furnace.
Let the winter sun warm your home
Use your windows strategically. During the day, and even in the winter, take advantage of the natural warmth of the sun. Open your blinds or curtains during the day and allow the sun to help heat the rooms. However, make sure to close blinds and curtains at night to keep heat in.
Have your furnace inspected
Ensuring your furnace is in good working condition is an extremely important factor in keeping your heating bills low. If your furnace isn't working the way it should, it will need to work harder to heat your home.
Consider having a diagnostic check done on your furnace. Ensuring your furnace is operating efficiently by having a professional technician inspect the unit and your home's ventilation system can help you save on heating bills.
Close doors and vents
Closing doors in your home to rooms that you don't use is a great way to cut down your heating costs. Keep the doors of rooms or even entire floors (i.e. a basement or attic) that are used less frequently closed. This will keep the bulk of the heat in the rooms that you and your family spend the most time in.
If there's a room that you only use once in a while, consider using a space heater. This will ensure that you only heat the room when it's being used. Space heaters are also great for rooms that don't circulate air as well as others, preventing you from having to increase the heat in your whole home for one room.
