Every winter your utility bill takes a hit from the cost of heating your home. This is especially difficult if you’re on a fixed income or living paycheck-to-paycheck. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep your home heating costs in check, while not sacrificing your comfort. Get a jump on the heating season by addressing these four areas before the cold weather sets in.
1. Check for drafts and air leaks. Whether you live in a newer home or an older one, drafty windows, doors and attics allow cold air in and draw heated air out. Sealing up any leaks will keep the heat inside and the cold air outside. Visually inspect your windows and doors, and replace any worn or cracked weather stripping. If you still feel drafts, install caulking or consider adding insulating material.
Pro Tip: Use a lit candle to check for drafts and air leaks. Hold the flame near windows, doors and light fixtures and look for smoke moving in a horizontal direction. If you see it, that means you’ve spotted an air leak, and a way for heat to escape from your home.
2. Schedule a tune-up. Just like your car, your heating equipment needs regular maintenance to run smoothly and efficiently when you need it most. Annual maintenance by a home comfort specialist helps improve heating efficiencies—lowering your utility and usage costs, preventing breakdowns, and extending the life of your equipment.
3. Maintain proper humidity levels. Adding humidity to your indoor air can help reduce heating bills. Humid air holds more heat, making your home feel warmer. By keeping your humidity levels between 35 and 45 percent—either through a single room or whole home humidifier—you can turn down your thermostat about three degrees and still maintain a level of comfort and warmth. Expending less energy naturally means a lower electricity bill at month’s end.
4. Upgrade your equipment. Upgrading your heating equipment to a high-efficiency furnace or boiler will save you on home heating costs as your system will consume less fuel to keep you warm. While the upfront costs of replacing your existing equipment can be significant, it’s an investment worth considering as it will reap the biggest energy and budget savings each year, helping to offset the cost of the system installation and save you even more money in the long run.
Heating System Installation, Maintenance, and Repair in NH and MA
If you’re looking to reduce your energy costs and increase your home comfort, contact us for a complementary analysis of your home’s heating system. Our skilled team will assess your equipment and provide a customized energy recommendation so you and your family are warm and safe all winter long.