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How To Keep Your Utility Bill Low In The Winter

Can you imagine going through the winter without your home’s heating system? Neither can we, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay an arm and a leg to the energy company just to make it through the winter comfortably. There are many ways to save money while keeping your home as warm as possible this winter.

Below are some common mistakes that homeowners can make that can make a significant impact on your monthly utility bill.

 

  1. Letting the warm air escape

Trying to heat your home is challenging when much of the warm air you're paying for is escaping through cracks around your windows and doors. Warm air naturally flows to colder spaces, so if the outdoor air is colder than your home, that’s where your air will go.

If you keep having to turn up the heat and aren’t getting any warmer, it might have to do with the spaces around your doors and windows. You can lock windows to seal them better and use caulk to touch up worn areas. Try getting a seal for under your front and back doors. Seal those drafts and keep your money where your home is.

 

  1. Setting the thermostat too high

When we walk into a cold room, the first thing we want to do is crank up the thermostat so the room heats quickly. In reality, your spaces won’t heat up any faster than if you set the thermostat at a reasonable temperature, say 75 degrees rather than 85.

Your heating system warms rooms at the same pace no matter the temperature your thermostat is set at. Cranking up the heat will only cause the heater to run longer, wasting money on heat you don’t need.

 

  1. Keeping the thermostat at one temperature

Setting your thermostat too high keeps your system running longer. Similarly, setting it at one temperature forces it to maintain that temperature whether you’re home or not. You can save more money by lowering the temperature when you’re not home so the furnace cycles less often.

 

  1. Solely relying on your fireplace for heat

Fireplaces are a good source of heat when you’re staying in one room for a short period. Using a fireplace to heat your whole home will not work as well as you might think. Most of the heat from the fire will go up the chimney and out of the home. A wood-burning fireplace burns oxygen from the home's warm air, so next time you need to heat your living room, rely on your furnace.

 

  1. Avoiding furnace maintenance

This is the biggest mistake homeowners make. Furnace maintenance is like an exercise plan for your HVAC system. It not only keeps your furnace in good shape but also prevents serious issues from occurring, such as costly repairs.

Avoid losing your heating system altogether with preventative maintenance from the team at Mohr. If there’s ever anything we can do to help you save money and keep your home comfortable, we’ll be there.