If you’re like most homeowners here in Nixa, MO, you probably dread your winter energy bills. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), heating makes up about 42% of the average home’s energy use. As a result, some of the year’s most expensive energy bills arrive when the temperature drops. The good news is that you’re not powerless to stop those big bills. You can take specific actions to lower your home’s heating costs and keep your energy bills as low as possible. Here are five of the most effective ways you can do it.
1. Schedule Furnace Maintenance
The most effective way to lower your heating bills is to have a professional service your furnace before the heating season. The average furnace operates at around 80% efficiency, even when new. With years of wear and tear, their efficiency drops significantly. A maintenance visit can restore some of your furnace’s lost efficiency with a thorough cleaning, lubrication of moving parts, and necessary adjustments. And, if any components have problems that may be leading to energy waste, you’ll get an opportunity to address them before they send your bills skyrocketing.
2. Seal Air Gaps
The next thing you can do to trim your winter heating bills is to seal up any places where outside air seeps into your home. This may include small gaps around your home’s windows, both on the inside and outside. It may also include gaps around your exterior doors. For small gaps, you can use silicone caulk as a permanent fix. For larger ones, you can turn to expanding foam sprays. For your doors and windows themselves, weatherstripping and door sweeps can make a huge difference in how much cold air gets into your home.
3. Install Thermal Curtains
According to the DOE, the average home loses 30% of its heat through its windows. And the older your home’s windows are, the higher that number will be. However, there’s something you can do to reduce that heat loss without upgrading your windows. You can install thermal curtains to provide a barrier between your windows and your home’s warm air. For best results, you should open your curtains during the day on windows that see significant solar exposure. That will help you maximize your solar heating benefits. However, keeping your thermal curtains closed in the evenings and when it’s overcast will keep more heat inside your home and lower your energy consumption.
4. Install a Smart Thermostat
Another great way to cut your heating bills is to install a smart thermostat. An ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat should save you roughly 8% on your home’s heating bills. And some more advanced models may perform even better than that. According to well-known smart thermostat manufacturer Nest, one of their models can save you between 10% and 12% on your heating bills. And Ecobee claims their smart thermostats can help you save up to 26% on your heating bills. A smart thermostat can provide a cost-effective efficiency upgrade for your home’s heating system and pay for itself rather quickly.
5. Use Your Ceiling Fans
Although it may seem counterintuitive, your home’s ceiling fans, if you have them, can help you cut your heating bills, too. The trick is to switch them to rotate in the clockwise direction at their lowest speed. This will push warm air down from the ceiling to the rest of the room and help you feel a bit warmer. Doing so may also help your thermostat register a more accurate temperature, which will help reduce your demand for heat.
Your Local Heating Efficiency Experts
For over a decade, Queen City Heating & Cooling has offered quality, affordable HVAC services to homeowners in and around Nixa. We handle furnace installation, repair, and maintenance, in addition to indoor air quality services, water heaters, and emergency repair services. We can help you get the most out of your home’s heating system and help you when the time comes for a replacement. Plus, we’re Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating, so you can expect the highest levels of workmanship and customer service from us. We even offer financing on approved credit to help you afford a new heating system when your home needs it. For the finest HVAC services in Nixa, call our team at Queen City Heating & Cooling today.
