Heating costs are a significant component of your utility bills, especially if you live in a region that experiences frigid winters.
However, no one wants to spend their hard earned money on their energy costs. Some people go as far as living in a less-than-comfortable environment by keeping their thermostat setting so low; their house is a little on the cold side. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your energy costs down while keeping your interior environment cozy and warm.
Branchburg HVAC Companies: How to Keep Your Energy Costs Down This Winter
Table of Contents
In this article, we will discuss some tips to help you keep your energy costs down this winter.
Adjust Your Thermostat To An Appropriate Setting
You can cut your annual heating costs by as much as 10% just by setting your thermostat 10° to 15° lower for eight hours a day during the winter months, says the US Department of Energy (DoE). More specifically, you should set your thermostat to 68°F when your home is occupied and lower when your house is unoccupied. In essence, this will ensure your internal temperature remains lower than the surrounding temperature, preventing heat loss in your home. To make temperature regulation easier, use a programmable thermostat. However, if you have a heat pump, you will need a specially designed thermostat to ensure your heat pump operates efficiently.
Schedule Service for Your Furnace/Boiler
Your HVAC system requires regular service and maintenance to remain in good working condition. More specifically, you should hire a qualified HVAC technician to inspect your HVAC system and perform any necessary repairs. While at it, the technician should also clean your heating system thoroughly and replace the filter if necessary.
Replacing your filter is important because dust buildup is not only an allergen but dust may also cause your furnace to operate inefficiently, increasing your heating costs. At the same time, ensure no objects, including furniture or rugs, are blocking your system’s vents and radiator. Adequate airflow ensures that the conditioned air circulates freely throughout your home, but also enables your heating system to perform in an energy efficient and safe manner.
Invest In Insulation To Keep The Heat In
Air leaks are one of the main causes of heat loss in your home.
Consequently, to lower your heating costs and make your home warmer and comfortable in the winter months, you should insulate it properly. Be sure to address any of the drafty areas of your home.
Conditioned air can escape from your home through the windows, roof, floors, walls and virtually any other opening in your home’s envelope, including small openings around recessed lights. For an accurate and thorough measure of the air leakage in your home’s envelope, hire a certified HVAC contractor to conduct a complete energy audit.
To locate hard-to-find air leaks, the contractor will perform a blower door test, which will entail depressurizing your home to reveal such leaks. Moreover, an energy audit will reveal the areas in your home that require the most insulation.
Install A High-Efficiency Heating System In Your Home
If your furnace is ten years or older, it is likely worn out or inefficient.
If this is the case, you should replace it with a modern high-efficiency model to enjoy energy savings. Remember, while older furnaces have energy efficiencies in the 56% to 70% range, current, conventional HVAC systems, especially the Energy Star certified models, can attain energy efficiencies as high as 98%. They convert almost all the fuel to useful heat for space heating. In fact, according to the DoE, such a furnace can cut your furnace pollution output and fuel bills in half.
Conclusion
To keep your energy costs down this winter, install a high-efficiency furnace/boiler, insulate your home’s envelope properly, schedule service for your furnace/boiler, and set your thermostat 10° to 15° lower for eight or more hours every day.
Skylands Energy has NATE-certified technicians on staff to help you with all of you HVAC requirements.
Skylands Energy offers the full suite of heating and HVAC solutions for you including repairs and replacements, system maintenance and tune-ups, and new installations. Our techs have the training and experience to service your existing heating equipment. They will ensure that it provides the comfort and efficiency that you expect out of it. With competitive HVAC service prices and guaranteed work, Skylands Energy is the best solution in the area. Don’t wait! Winter is coming! Call today to schedule a free, in-house estimate.
Some of the areas that we service in Branchburg Township include Flagtown, Neshanic Station, Readington, Three Bridges and these zip codes 08821, 08853, 08870, 08887 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.
Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (908) 707-1776 if you have any questions.