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Eight Simple Steps to Save on Heating Bills this Winter

If you’re a homeowner in the Monmouth, Middlesex, or Ocean County, New Jersey area concerned with high energy bills, Arctic Air Conditioning is here to help you. We have eight simple steps you can take to save on heating bills this winter—some you can even do for free! Continue reading to find out how to reduce your costs without sacrificing comfort.

Save on Heating Bills: The Freebies

Lower the temperature – According to Bill Prindle, the deputy director for the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), you can save about 3 percent on your heating bill for every degree you set back on your thermostat. If you turn down the temperature even a few degrees during the day and just don a sweater and warm socks, you can save a significant amount—even more if you lower the temperature 10 degrees while you’re away at work or at night while you’re in bed, you can save approximately 14 percent!

Use fans wisely – In as little time as one hour, an efficient bathroom or kitchen fan can expel a houseful of warm air, according to the Department of Energy. Don’t forget to turn them off as soon as their job is done. In addition to your exhaust fans, you can always use your ceiling fans more effectively during the winter, too. Switch them to run clockwise to push warm air downward—this can make the house feel more comfortable even when the thermostat is set lower.

Close the fireplace damper – An easy way to save on heating bills is by keeping the fireplace damper closed when you’re not burning a fire. Since heat rises, leaving your damper open is almost the same as having a hole in your roof—the heat will rise right out.

Keep heating registers clear – When your registers (the vents around your home) are blocked by rugs, furniture, or other things it reduces the flow of air throughout your home. This can greatly reduce your energy efficiency.

Use your curtains – Using your curtains effectively is another easy way you can save on heating bills this winter. During the day, open the curtains on any south-facing windows and allow the sun’s heat to warm the rooms, and keep them all closed at night to help prevent the escape of heat.

Save on Heating Bills: Home Investments

Install a programmable thermostat – One of the best ways to save on heating bills this winter—and continue to save year-round—is by installing a programmable thermostat. They allow you to completely control the energy use in your home throughout the day. All you have to do is program your settings into the thermostat and it will automatically raise or lower the temperature at different times throughout the day. For example, you could set your programmable thermostat to lower the temperature during the day while everyone is at home or work and then raise it again just before everyone returns.

Schedule a check-up – Scheduling a furnace tune-up is the single-most effective way to ensure high performance from your HVAC system this season.  When you call Arctic Air Conditioning for your furnace tune-up in Middlesex, Monmouth, or Ocean County, we can inspect your system, change the filters, identify any potential problems, and help your heating system run efficiently throughout the winter.

Close up air leaks and gaps – Plugging up those gaps and air leaks around your home can make a significant difference when it comes to your utility bills! You have a lot of options when it comes to this, including: buying door sweeps, caulking windows, using weather stripping, using outlet gaskets for your plugs, and more.

Learn More About Saving on Your Heating Bills

If you want to learn more or find out other ways you can save on heating bills this winter, contact Arctic Air Conditioning today. We’ve been helping homeowners in the Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean County areas improve their energy efficiency since 1977 and have the knowledge required to keep your home comfortable. Call us today to find out more!

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