The winter months are certainly here, and with cold weather comes higher heating bills. As we continue through the Midwest winter these next few months, more than likely you will see a spike in your home’s heating bills. Although we can’t control the outside temperature, homeowners are able to play a role in helping reduce the costs of these heating bills!
At ServiceOne, we offer a variety of Omaha HVAC services to make sure homeowners are staying comfortable in their homes during the entire year, as well as saving money along the way. Our services vary from repairs to installation, and you can also trust that we will get the job done completely and correctly. Below, we go over some tips on how all homeowners can help lower their heating bills this winter.
Replace your furnace filter
One of the first and best ways to help lower your heating costs this winter is by replacing your furnace filter. Over time, your furnace filter will become full with dirt, debris and other pollutants that have been circulating through your home. When your furnace filter becomes clogged, it requires your furnace to work harder than it needs to heat your home, resulting in higher heating costs. By replacing your furnace filter, not only will you see lower energy costs, but also improve air quality as well.
Turn down your water heater
Your home’s water heater uses more heat than you might expect. And while most homeowners enjoy a warm to hot shower, oftentimes your water heater could be set to a temperature higher than it needs to be. By reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you could cut down your seasonal heating bill by 11 percent!
Run your ceiling fans in reverse
If you didn’t know already, your home’s ceiling fans have two different settings that are supposed to be used throughout the year. Since hot air rises, switching your ceiling fan to the reverse setting will actually help push that warm air down instead of up. During the summer you would want to switch your ceiling back back to the normal setting to push the cool air down.
Let light in
Natural sunlight is one of the best ways to heat up a home, and although there’s limited sunlight during the winter months, it can still play a role in reducing your home’s heating costs. By keeping your blinds and curtains open during the day, you will allow natural sunlight to pass through your windows and ultimately help warm up your home. The more help you can give your furnace the lower your heating costs will be!
Utilize your fireplace
Lastly, if you have a fireplace in your home, use it to your advantage on cold days! Not only does a fireplace create a cozy and comfortable environment, it also can help heat up your home exponentially, all while using very little energy.
When it comes to energy bills, nobody enjoys paying more than they need to. While the winter months can lead to higher energy usage, there are ways homeowners can help reduce this and become more energy efficient. Keep these tips in mind as we go through the winter months.
At ServiceOne, our professional Omaha HVAC technicians can handle any situation thrown their way. If you are looking for a professional Omaha HVAC company to help with an installation or to make a repair, visit our website to learn more about our services!