Tips To Lower Heating Bills

Wintertime in Rockville is a magical time, and we encourage our neighbors to get out and enjoy each day! There are many winter activities to enjoy, such as ice skating outdoors in the town square. After a chilly activity, it is important to have a warm home waiting for your arrival. However, it can be costly to maintain a cozy home all winter for some. We believe comfort should always be available for our customers and never at a high price. In this blog, we discuss tips to lower your heating bills in Rockville, MD and surrounding areas.

What Causes High Heating Bills?

High heating bills can be caused by a variety of factors due to the many components within a heating system. If one component is malfunctioning or obstructed, it can cause the whole system to struggle to effectively and efficiently heat your home. No matter the cause, your heating bill has likely spiked due to something causing it to use more energy. Simply put – the harder your heating system has to work, the more energy it will use, and the higher your bills will be.

As we mentioned, heating bills can spike due to many causes. Below are five reasons your heating bill is higher than normal.

• Poor Insulation
• Aging Heating Unit
• Thermostat Issues
• Dirty Air Filters
• Blocked/Dirty Unit

How To Keep Heating Costs Low

Heating and cooling units take up nearly half of the average homeowner’s utility bill. Both systems have large workloads to constantly keep your home comfortable. However, heating and cooling costs can be kept at a minimum depending on maintenance given. There are a variety of simple tasks homeowners can do to maintain low heating bills throughout the winter. Below are five ways to keep your heating bill low in Bethesda, MD.

• Regularly Change Air Filters
• Install A Programmable Thermostat
• Ensure Unit Is Clean & Clear
• Seal & Insulate Your Home
• Utilize Ceiling Fans

Regularly Change Air Filters

Air filters determine many aspects about your home, such as comfort, air quality, airflow, and utility bills. The main job of an air filter is to catch pollutants and debris to prevent allergens from entering your home. Over time, filters build up with dust and other pollutants and need to be changed. If air filters around your home are clogged, your heating unit struggles to efficiently push air through. This can result in your heating unit using more energy to effectively meet the thermostat setting, which raises utility bills. We recommend changing air filters at least every 3 months to maximize energy efficiency and minimize utility costs. We understand changing air filters regularly can be a tedious task, but we promise it is worth it when compared to facing a heating unit breakdown!

Install A Programmable Thermostat

The closer your thermostat is set to the outdoor temperature, the more you will save on heating costs. For winter, this means maintaining a low thermostat temperature as much as possible. We aim for our customers to have the best of both worlds, which is low heating bills and a warm home. To achieve this, we recommend lowering your thermostat setting during the work day and while residents are sleeping at night. However, adjusting the thermostat is the last thing on many homeowner’s minds when rushing out the door in the mornings.

Programmable thermostats are useful home devices to help maintain your comfort and desired heating costs. The thermostat operates on a pre-programmed schedule and automatically adjusts your home’s temperature due to your preferences. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can save as much as 10% on heating and cooling costs. We believe programmable thermostats are a smart home investment due to the convenience and benefits the device can provide!

Ensure Unit Is Clean & Clear

Your heating unit needs room to operate and breathe, which can be hard if objects are blocking airflow. If your heating unit is located outdoors, we recommend ensuring debris such as tree branches and leaves are cleared off of the system. For indoor units, be sure to keep personal items at least 30 inches away from the unit and avoid stacking objects on top. Additionally, we recommend regularly dusting indoor heating units. Ensuring your heating system is clean and clear allows it to perform efficiently and use minimal energy to operate.

Seal & Insulate Your Home

If warm air is escaping, your heating unit has to work harder to make up for lost heat. Air can easily escape through an uninsulated attic and cracks in windows and doors. According to EnergyStar, the EPA suggests sealing and insulating can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs. We recommend adding insulation to spaces such as attics, garages, crawlspaces, and other unheated areas. Additionally, a cost effective way to seal air leaks around your home is by caulking or weather stripping.

Utilize Ceiling Fans

Yes, you heard us right! To maintain low heating costs, use your ceiling fans this winter. Ceiling fans can rotate in different directions by simply flipping a switch on the side of the fan. In the winter, your fan should be rotating clockwise to create an upward draft. This draft helps relocate trapped warm air near the ceiling downward, which helps create a comfortable environment. This process allows homeowners to lower their thermostat setting without feeling a temperature difference. The lower the thermostat setting, the more you will save!

Keeping our neighbors warm and cozy this winter is one of our top priorities. Consider these simple tips to help maintain low heating costs and a comfortable environment! For heating repair or maintenance Rockville, MD and surrounding areas, give one of Glenmont’s trusted technicians a call!