While winter is a favorite season for many, it’s also the time of year where energy bills begin to skyrocket due to the high demand of your heating system. While expensive bills are usually something many homeowners dread, there are still ways to stay warm and cozy in your home without breaking the bank. However, many households make the same common mistakes each year that are probably the reason why their heating bills are increasing during the winter season.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing a few common heating mistakes that many homeowners make during the winter. If your heating bills have been extremely high lately, keep reading to find out if you’ve been making one of the mistakes that could be the reason your bills are spiking in the winter.
Turning Off the Heat When You Leave the House
Many homeowners tend to believe that turning off the heat completely when they leave the house will save them money. We can’t stress enough that this is actually costing you big time! When you turn your heating system off, it will need to work even harder once you decide to turn it back on because it will need to reach the desired temperature quickly. This causes your heater to waste energy and can even cause you costly repairs down the line if your system ends up breaking due to being overworked.
Instead of completely turning your heater off if you leave your house for an extended period of time, turn it down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This will lower the temperature enough that your bills won’t increase but it will also keep your home warm enough to prevent any frozen pipes.
Turning Your Thermostat Up
Do you tend to crank up your thermostat as soon as you start feeling a bit chilly? We’re here to let you know that turning up your thermostat won’t actually heat up your home faster, it will just cause your furnace to run longer to try and reach the temperature your thermostat is set to. Start off by setting your thermostat to a steady 68 degrees Fahrenheit and see how you feel. This is usually the temperature most households remain comfortable at.
Closing/Block Vents
If you’re the type of person who closes vents in unused rooms, we’re urging you to open them up! Your heater won’t know that certain vents are closed and to only force air through the open vents, so closing the vents will only throw off your heater’s balance and cause it to overwork itself.
Additionally, if you have vents in your home that are blocked by furniture, the same thing applies. Check around your house and make sure there are no tables, chairs, or sofas blocking your vents.
Not Replacing Your Air Filters
Over time, your air filters become clogged with dirt, dust, and other common indoor pollutants. If you go months and months without changing out your air filters, your heater will be trying to force air through a clogged filter, which is wasting energy and causing your system to continuously work to heat your home. Check your air filters every 30 days and replace them every 60 to 90 days.
Avoiding Heating Maintenance
Before you ask us if heating maintenance is really necessary, the answer is yes. Keeping up with annual maintenance will allow Hedrick's Service Now to find any issues that need repair in advance of your system breaking down. If you tend to avoid strange noises or odd smells coming from your heater, this could be the reason your heating bills are increasing as your system might be in need of repairs.
If you haven’t scheduled your seasonal heating maintenance appointment yet, now is time to do so. Hedrick's Service Now wants you to be comfortable and warm in your home all winter long and the first step is making sure your heating system is functioning properly. Give us a call at (214) 509-6029 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a team member today!