Save money on your heating bill with these tips.
Last year’s winter was the warmest winter on record. But this year, temperatures are expected to be close to normal, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. As a result, consumers will have to use more energy to stay warm than they did last year. The Annual Winter Fuels Outlook from the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration predicts that heating bills will rise 20 percent for heating oil customers, 15 percent for natural gas customers, 13 percent for propane customers, and 5 percent for electricity customers.
- There are several steps that Seattle homeowners can take to lower their heating costs, despite the cooler weather. Keep the following tips in mind to save 20% or potentially much more on your heating bill this winter.
- Turn down the thermostat 10 degrees when you go to work and when you go to bed. Doing so can help you save about 14% on your heating bill.
- Keep the curtains closed at night to prevent heat from escaping your home. During the day, leave the curtains open so that the sun warms your home.
- Apply weather stripping around your windows and around drafty exterior doors.
- Keep the garage door closed if your garage is attached to your house.
- If your furnace is over 20 years old, you can save significantly more in the long run by investing in a more energy-efficient furnace. For example, at MM Comfort Systems, we offer the Carrier 58PHX Performance™ Boost 80Gas Furnace:
- This furnace can boost the efficiency of select Carrier air conditioners and heat pumps by up to 1.5 SEER points.
- Turn down your water heater’s temperature to 115-120 degrees. This will help you reduce energy usage without producing any noticeable effects.
- Attach door sweeps to your doors to prevent cold air from entering your home.
- Make sure that all of the vents in your home are clear and not blocked by rugs or furniture.
- Turn kitchen and bathroom fans off as soon as you’re done using them, so they don’t expel warm air from your home.
- Have the air filter in your furnace replaced to maximize the efficiency of your heating system. Dirty filters lead to higher heating costs.
- If your home has a fireplace that you aren’t using, make sure that the flue and glass doors are closed.
- Check the exterior of your heating unit and make sure that there’s nothing draped over it or stacked against it. Clean off any dirt, grass clippings, or leaves that are covering it.
Call Your Seattle HVAC Company for a Check-Up
Proper maintenance will keep your Seattle heating system running efficiently. Electric and oil heaters should get checked out at least once a year, and gas heaters should get checked out every other year. For more information about our Seattle furnace maintenance service, give us a call at 425.533.9058 or fill out our online contact form.
