How to Save Money on Heating This Fall and Winter

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always looking for ways to save a few extra dollars. One easy way is to take a closer look at your energy bills this fall and winter. Heating bills can account for up to 40% of a home’s total energy costs each year. HVAC.com shares a few tips to keep your heating bills under control this winter and put more of your hard-earned money back in your wallet.

Tips to Lower Your Heating Bills

Adjust Your Thermostat

One of the simplest methods to manage your heating bills this fall and winter is to lower the temperature setting on your thermostat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save about 10% on their annual heating and cooling costs by adjusting the thermostat by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. The ideal thermostat setting for comfort and savings in winter is about 68-70 degrees while you’re awake, and lowering it when you’re asleep or away from home.

Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Installing a smart or programmable thermostat can also help reduce your heating costs. Both types of thermostats allow you to pre-set temperatures based on the time of day. For example, you can schedule the thermostat to be 8 degrees lower while you’re at work or sleeping for increased savings. Some smart thermostats even use AI technology to learn your temperature preferences and make automatic adjustments.

Use Ceiling Fans

Reversing the direction of your ceiling fan from counterclockwise to clockwise during the colder months creates an updraft that pushes warm air from the ceiling back down into your living areas. This allows you to keep your thermostat a few degrees lower for additional savings. Just be sure to turn off the fans when you leave the room to avoid wasting electricity.

Improve Insulation

Enhancing your home’s insulation reduces heating bills by minimizing heat loss through walls, ceilings, and floors, ensuring that more heat stays inside. Proper insulation also enables heating systems to operate more efficiently by reducing the frequency and duration of heating cycles.

Change Air Filters Regularly

A clogged air filter restricts airflow into your heating system, causing it to work harder and run longer cycles, which can increase your heating bill by up to 15%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Air filters should be inspected monthly and changed every 2-3 months. Additionally, ensure your heating system – whether a furnace, heat pump, or boiler – receives annual maintenance, ideally before the arrival of cold weather in your region.

Invest in a New Heating System

If your heating bills have steadily increased over the past few years, your heating system might be old and inefficient. Upgrading to a new, energy-efficient unit can significantly reduce your heating bills. Older systems with lower AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings are inefficient.

Seal Air Leaks

Sealing air leaks prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from entering your home, which helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature and reduces the strain on your heating system. By sealing any leaks in your home, you can significantly lower your heating bills as your system works less to compensate for lost heat.

Open Blinds and Curtains

Opening blinds and curtains during the day can help save money on heating bills by allowing sunlight to naturally warm your home. To maximize savings, open them during sunny days to let in warmth and close them at night to retain heat and insulate against the cold.