Although the holidays are over, winter is still here and we need to stay warm in our homes for the remainder of the season. Many homeowners are interested in saving money on their energy bill during the winter and wondering how they can both save on their bill while receiving the very best from their home heating system at the same time. Ensuring that your home heat usage is as efficient as possible isn’t only important to maintaining a reasonable energy bill. It’s also important to the health and overall operation of your furnace.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your home heating system this winter:
Don’t close vents in rooms you aren’t using. Believe it or not, closing vents to try and “save” on wasted heat circulation can actually be bad for your furnace, causing it to work harder when handling the redirection of the heat flow. Closing off vents can throw off the balance in your home, since your furnace is designed to allow your home to breathe through air ducts that are positioned for return and exit points. Be sure to check any vents on the floor or walls and make sure they’re not covered up.
Replace old furnaces. While replacing a furnace requires an investment, using an old furnace that has slowed down over the years can cost you just as much, if not more, money to run. Furnaces have to work harder as they age, taking longer to heat up your home, and resulting in more energy usage and a higher electric bill.
Take advantage of natural sunlight. This is a simple yet effective tip if you don’t mind drawing the blinds throughout the house. Try allowing sunlight in to naturally warm the house when possible, giving your heater a break from having to work overtime.
