10 Ways To Reduce Your Heating Bill

Everybody wants to save money.  In the winter (especially here in Chicago land), it is cold, and we watch our heating bills climb ever so higher.  Instead of cursing at your heating bill, try a couple of these suggestions to lower your heating bill.

1. Replace your furnace.  Yes, this sounds like an expensive fix to high heating costs.  However, in the long run, a high efficiency can save you a ton of money in heating costs.  Your current old furnace may one be running at 50% efficiency whereas brand new ones run at 80% – 97% efficiency.
2. Your Thermostat. Your home thermostat can help you control your heating bills. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for every degree you turn your thermostat down, you can save approximately 3% of your heating bill every month! That makes putting on an extra sweater or blanket so worth it! Plus, if you have a programmable thermostat, you can program your furnace to run less when you are not home by setting the thermostat to a lower temperature.
3. Clean Your Heating System. Did you know that your home heating system has built up dirt, grime, and dust over the years in ducts, wires, and internal parts? If you have pets, pet hair and dander can clog your heating systems over time too. This is something most people don’t think about but can have a major impact on your furnace’s efficiency.
   Mostly check and change your furnace filter monthly, a furnace with a dirty furnace filter will cause the system to over heat and possibly cause furnace part fatigue causing furnace breakdown. short cycling of a furnace can cause excessively high gas bills.
4. Repair Leaks. Heating loss in many homes is caused by air leaks and gaps. You’ll find them around windows, walls, floors, and doors. You can often times tell where these are occurring, because you will feel the draft. That being said, if you do have leaks and gaps, you are literally paying to heat the outdoors. According to the ACEEE, plugging them can save you up to 10% on your heating bill, and the materials will pay for themselves within a year. Something as simple as a door sweep can save you money.
5. Check out how much insulation you have in your home. If you live in an older home like I do, you may find that your house is not insulated very well or the insulation you have is 50 years old. Replacing that insulation in your ceilings and attic can vastly improve your heat retention.
6. Watch how you use your fans. According to the Department of Energy, a bathroom or kitchen fan can expel a houseful of warm air. As soon as you leave the room, turn them off! (An added benefit of turning them off is that you can save on your electric bill too!).
7. Keep your heating vents clear. If you block your vents, the heated air cannot circulate efficiently, and your rooms will be colder.
8. Use the sun! By opening curtains and shades on south-facing windows during the day, you can take advantage of the sun heating your rooms! If you close those curtains and shades at night, you can keep some of that heat in your room.
9. Close your fireplace damper! This another one of those tips that people oftentimes don’t think of. However, heat rises, and an open damper is like a hole in the roof.
10. Don’t open the oven while it’s cooking. You will lose 20% – 50% of the heat each time you do. You also slow down the cooking process. However, when you are done cooking, turn off the oven, open the oven door, and let it heat your kitchen!

As you can see, there are many different ways to reduce your heating bill this winter from buying a new furnace to hiring your local furnace repair company to clean and inspect your furnace to using the sun.

What steps do you take to reduce your heating bill?