AMERICANS are constantly looking for ways to save on heating during the winter months, but one lesser known tip is that it’s actually advantageous to keep your heat on all the time.
That’s right. Don’t turn your heating off and on if you want to save your money.
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There are some specific strategies you can use to reduce your heating billCredit: Getty
This is advice from Chad Horowitz, chief executive officer of The Heating Cooling Doctor.
The Heating Cooling Doctor is an HVAC contractor in Brooklyn, New York.
When you turn your heater on and off, you actually end up using more energy.
This is because “the proper temperature is not being efficiently maintained,” Mr Horowitz said.
Derek Kean, the Installations Manager and Technical Resource at American Residential Services for the state of Indiana, agreed.
Derek has been in the HVAC industry since 1997.
“Turning your heating system off to save a couple of bucks sounds great but it really doesn’t add up to much of any savings,” Derek said.
According to the HVAC expert, the recovery time it takes your home to warm up will use more energy than if you were to leave the heating system running all of the time but at a lower setting.
Still, the HVAC pros said there are many other things customers can do to keep those utility bills down while staying warm.
Mr Horowitz said, “The main thing is to prepare the equipment properly before the winter. That in itself will bring a significant reduction in energy bills throughout the winter.”
Here are some other best tips to reduce your heating bill going into the colder months.
Adjust the temperature
Adjusting the temperature on your thermostat by seven to 10 degrees for only eight hours a day will save you up to 10 percent on your energy bills per year.
There might be a perfect temperature to keep your thermostat at in order to get the best savings too.
The US Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat at 68 degrees and even lower while you are asleep or away from home.
Some thermostats are programmable, so you can change temperatures easily.
Wear some layers
While this might not be the most obvious tip, wearing layers can dramatically reduce your heating bill.
So bring out those favorite sweaters, leggings and socks.
By layering up, you will naturally keep the temperature on your thermostat lower.
Use window blinds and curtains
If you keep your window blinds and curtains open, the sunlight will creep in and naturally keep your house warmer.
You need to cover your windows at night however to keep the heat from escaping and preventing cold air from creeping in.
Change the furnace filter
You will ultimately end up spending more money if you have a dirty filter, which prevents your heating system from working most efficiently.
Change it every one to six months in order to make sure you have the best heating system you can have.
Clear your vents
In addition to that, you need to clear your vents, removing all furniture blocking the vents.
This is so that the heating system can effectively move heat through the home freely.
Seal your duct work
The average home loses 20 to 40 percent of its heat through leaky ductwork.
By sealing your duct work, you can ensure you aren’t paying for heat you’re not using.
Get maintenance
Last but not least, it’s always important to get maintenance on your system.
This will save you money in the long run.
In fact, running maintenance can prevent over 90 percent of mechanical breakdowns.
Regular maintenance should be scheduled once a year.
If you want to bring down your energy bills even more, here are the four ‘vampire appliances’ that add hundreds to your bill.
Plus, in Vermont, residents can save $200 if they change one thing about their energy habits.
