Three Ways to Lower Your Heating Costs

Are you spending more than you have to on keeping warm indoors this winter? Here are three ways to control the high cost of your heating bill in Fredericksburg, VA. By increasing efficiency, you could see lower utility bills by next month.

1. Get a Programmable Thermostat

According to the California Energy Commission, for every degree you lower your thermostat between 60 and 70 degrees, you can save up to 5 percent. When you turn your thermostat back for eight hours per day, you can save up to ten percent. If you set a programmable thermostat to turn the heat back to 55 degrees for eight hours at night, you could save up to 20 percent. Yes, you could adjust the temperature yourself, but with basic programmable thermostats starting at only $20, you might as well let the device do it for you.

2. Seal Your Duct Work

Many homeowners neglect their duct work, even when it can mean significantly lower costs on utility bills. Over time, ducts can develop leaks. Every time your furnace or heat pump kicks in, heated air escapes through these leaks. Meanwhile, your HVAC is working harder to produce more heat, and this makes utility bills rise. According to Energy Star, duct sealing can save up to 30 percent on energy costs.

3. Schedule HVAC Maintenance

Tune-ups make your heater more efficient, and the higher the efficiency, the lower your utility costs. In between maintenance visits, be sure to change or clean the air filter every month. If you have pets, you may need to change the filter more often. Dirty filters make your HVAC system work harder, and that increases energy costs. Dirty filters can actually destroy your furnace or heat pump.

To learn more about how you can enjoy lower costs on Fredericksburg home heating, visit Custom/Design Heating & Air Conditioning or call (540) 602-4119.