Reduce Heating Bills

Your Guide to Reduce Heating Bills This Winter

Are you looking to reduce heating bills this winter?

Your heating bills could be the most significant energy-related expense in your home. It’s estimated that approximately 40-50% of energy bills for a home in cooler parts of the country are accumulated through heating expenses.

However, it’s possible to cut down the amount you pay for your heating costs even while your home remains comfortable. Here are some simple things you can do to help reduce the cost of heating bills. ?

 

Thermostat Control

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that American households could save 14% on their heating bill by turning down the thermostat. Far too many homes run their heating at higher temperatures than is required.

Yet if you turn down the thermostat by 10 degrees when you go to bed or when you leave the house to go to work, you’ll save money. Even at home, consider turning down the regular temperature your heating is set to.

For each degree you reduce your thermostat, you could save around 2% off your heating bill. For example, turning down your thermostat from 70F to 65F could save around 10% off your expected heating costs.

 

Regular Maintenance

Unmaintained heaters tend to use far more energy to generate heat, driving the cost of your bills higher than they need to be. Regular maintenance can help to keep your heating system operating more efficiently.

If your heating system uses filters, keep them clean and well-maintained. If you have an old furnace or boiler heating your home, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient heating alternative.

If you have an oil tank you must find the right reputable company to get the system working properly to maximize savings.  All American Environmental is an NJ heating oil tank business leader providing high-quality cleaning and service. When you use the best company, you will see a reduction when striving to reduce heating bills.

 

Improve Insulation

Your home’s windows can be a massive source of heat loss. There’s no point paying hefty heating bills through winter if the heat you generate escapes through tiny gaps around windows. Even the small gaps beneath your doors can be a source of heat loss.

Spend a few dollars to install weather strips to doors to help block those leaks. If your existing weatherstrips are worn, replace them. Block any drafty leaks around window frames or on chimney flashing. If you don’t use your fireplace, consider closing the chimney flue and blocking the small gaps around the flue with an inflatable chimney balloon.

Check out what’s happening behind the cover plates for your electrical boxes in any external walls. The areas behind electrical boxes often don’t have insulation placed around them correctly, making them ideal locations for warm air to escape and cold air to get into the house. You can buy inexpensive foam gaskets to fit around outlets you can’t see once the cover plate is returned, but they’ll positively reduce drafts.

Look for ways to eliminate leaks so heat can’t escape and reduce the amount of cold air that can get in. Fixing the smallest gaps can help to reduce heating bills overall.

 

Furnishings and Curtains

window with snow outside, concept of ways to reduce heating bills

Even your choice of curtains and blinds can play a part in helping to reduce your heating bills. Thicker curtains can act as a significant layer of insulation and stop the heat that escapes through windows at night.

Likewise, if furniture is placed in front of vents or duct openings, your heater’s effectiveness could be reduced. Be sure that heat can flow freely into each room without obstruction.

You can do plenty of simple things to help reduce your heating bills this winter. Take a closer look around your home and see what measures you can take to improve heating efficiency. You’ll be surprised at how much you could save.

 

Resources to Reduce Heating Bills:

aceee.org

energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy

 

Need more information or help regarding your heating bills?

You can contact All American Environmental for your consulting and contracting needs.

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