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Heating Mistakes that Might be Increasing Your Energy Bills
posted at 2018-12-19
It's understandable for heating to take up a significant portion of your energy bill. After all, HVAC equipment guzzles electricity; it also happens to be indispensable during seasonal extremes.
When your heating system runs all day throughout the winter months, you will be alarmed when your most recent energy bill is higher than what you are used to paying.
Here are four (4) ways you, or your home, may be inadvertently contributing to your energy costs.
Not having a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat provides many benefits; it controls every single aspect of your heating system.
It keeps the temperature consistent and it can maximize zoned heating. Best of all, a smart thermostat allows you to set a heating schedule, which can lower energy use.
Sure, a smart thermostat tends to have a higher price tag than a conventional thermostat. However, with the energy savings it provides, a programmable thermostat will be cheaper in the long run.
You need more insulation
You are spending a lot of money to produce warm air during the coldest days of the year. Some of that heated air may escape through the walls, windows, floor, doors, and the roof of your home. You can keep the heat in for a much longer time with the correct levels of insulation. A BPI Certified Professional can help address these types of air leakage issues.
There are several types of insulation you can use, including open-cell spray foam, fiberglass, cotton batts and many more. Additionally, if your home has older windows, you could use shrink wrap insulation or rubber weather sealant to help keep the heat in and the cold out.
Putting your heating system on overdrive at night
When you come home from work or at the end of the day, you may tend to crank up your heat. However, when getting into bed, that isn't necessary. Our body temperature starts to fall by that time anyway, which allows us to get a good night's sleep. If we use heavier, breathable blankets, our sleep will even be more comfortable, all without raising the temperature on our thermostat one bit.
Ain't no sunshine inside your home
The sun is our ultimate source of light and heat. If we keep sunlight out by keeping our drapes, curtains, or blinds closed the whole day, then we are depriving ourselves of a heat source that can effortlessly keep us warm.
Just by opening up your curtains and letting the sunlight shine through, you put less demand on your heating system. That savings will be reflected in your next energy bill. However, when night falls, you will want to close your drapes to keep that heat inside your home for as long as possible.
Running an HVAC system can be expensive, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't keep your costs from rising. The suggestions above are simple enough to implement, so keep them in mind whenever winter comes around.
Categories: General
