As we all know, money does not grow on trees! So, I thought I would gather some money saving tips you can apply right away with your heating bill this winter. Luckily, I was able to get GREAT tips from a professional! Eric Schwartz with Schwartz Heating & Cooling identified a handful of things we can all do to give less money to the gas company and keep more in our pockets!
1.) Reduce thermostat setting to 68 degrees.
Reducing your thermostat setting can substantially lower your heating
costs. Putting on those extra layers will help you stay comfortable
while saving on your heating bill.
2.) Set back thermostat at night and when you leave home.
Setting the thermostat back 10 degrees at night or when the house will be unoccupied can save up to 15% on heating costs. The furnace will have to run more to reheat the house, but the energy saved while the home is cooler more than offsets the extra run time to reheat the
home.
3.) Install a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats allow you to reduce your home’s temperature at night and during the day and still have the home warm when you wake up or come home from work. Some programmable thermostats cost less than $50 and can be installed by homeowners.
4.) Change furnace filter monthly.
Clogged furnace filters lower the heater’s efficiency by preventing
proper airflow through the furnace. Low-cost filters are available
from your local hardware store. Check filters monthly to see if they
need changing.
5.) Have furnace “tuned up” annually.
Having your furnace cleaned and tuned annually helps the heating
system operate safely and efficiently. Tuning may involve resetting
the fuel-air mixture for proper combustion as well as cleaning of the
blower and burners to assure maximum airflow and complete combustion. New furnaces don’t need to be cleaned and tuned for the first few years.
