As winter settles in, it can be tempting to crank up the thermostat in your Lincoln, NE, home to stay cozy. However, running your heating system more often than necessary can quickly drive up energy costs. Many homeowners are searching for ways to stay warm without seeing a spike in their utility bills. This guide will explore practical tips to boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, helping you stay comfortable while saving money.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Upgrading from a standard thermostat to a smart thermostat can be a game-changer for both comfort and energy savings. These modern devices offer convenience features that help you manage your home’s temperature more efficiently. For instance, by setting up a customized schedule, you can reduce energy consumption by lowering the temperature when no one is home. Based on your settings, your system will raise it to a comfortable temperature just before you return. This scheduling capability ensures a cozy home when relaxing at home while reducing how much your heating system needs to run.
Some smart thermostats can even connect with your local energy provider. This allows the provider to make minor adjustments to your thermostat settings during peak energy demand periods, usually just by a degree or two. These small changes are often barely noticeable but can lead to significant savings on your energy bill.
Another advantage of smart thermostats is they allow you to control your thermostat remotely via your smartphone or other smart devices. For instance, if you or a family member’s plans change, you can adjust the temperature so that you are not heating an empty house. This feature can also be handy if you leave for vacation and forget to adjust your thermostat.
Many smart thermostats also feature geofencing technology, which uses your phone’s location to adjust your home’s temperature automatically. If the system detects that you’ve left the house, it will lower the temperature to save energy. When it senses that you’re on your way back, it will warm up your home to your preferred comfort level.
Available rebates and incentives often offset the initial cost of a smart thermostat. An HVAC professional can help you explore the best options and inform you about potential savings if you’re considering an upgrade.
Colder Temperatures at Night
Consider lowering the temperature in your home during the nighttime hours when you and your family are asleep. When you’re cozy in your bed, there’s no need to run your heating system continuously. Just make sure that you keep your interior temperature set to at least 55 degrees. Anything lower than this can put your pipes at risk of freezing and bursting. The same rules apply if you’re going to be away on a trip.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fans
Many homeowners only use their ceiling fans during hot summer days to feel cooler. However, you can benefit from running your ceiling fans during the winter as well. Adjust your fan’s direction to rotate clockwise to make the most of them during colder weather.
Warm air naturally rises, so during the winter, it tends to accumulate near the ceiling, leaving the lower portion of the room cooler. By setting your fan to rotate clockwise, the blades push the warm air downward, redistributing it throughout the room. This helps maintain a more even temperature, reducing the strain on your heating system and allowing for a more comfortable environment while giving your heating system a break.
Use Your Fireplace
A fireplace can create a warm and cozy atmosphere in your home during the winter months. However, it’s important to have your fireplace and chimney regularly inspected and serviced by a professional to ensure they are safe and operating efficiently.
Keep in mind that using your fireplace can make other areas of your home feel colder. This happens because fireplaces draw air from the rest of your home to fuel the fire, which can lower the temperature in other rooms. To balance this, make sure to close doors to spaces that aren’t in use.
Sealing Up Cracks and Gaps
Over time, it’s common for homes to develop gaps around windows and doors, even in newer ones. Before winter sets in, take the time to inspect your home and seal these gaps. Products like caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping can help seal the faults effectively. The goal is to keep the warm, conditioned air inside and prevent cold air from entering. By doing so, you’ll reduce the workload on your furnace and minimize heat loss, allowing your system to maintain a comfortable temperature more efficiently.
Take Advantage of the Sun
Even in winter, the sun can provide significant warmth for your home. During the day, open curtains and blinds to let sunlight naturally heat your space. Depending on the time of day, you may need to adjust the position of your coverings to maximize sunlight exposure. Most homes benefit the most from keeping windows open in the afternoon when the sun is strongest. Be sure to close your blinds and curtains at night to trap warmth inside and prevent heat from escaping.
Upgrade Your Home’s Insulation
Insulation is a critical factor in energy efficiency. Without proper insulation, conditioned air escapes from your home, and cold air from the outside quickly enters. As a result, your furnace will cycle on more frequently to compensate for the constant heat loss. A professional inspection can help determine whether upgrading your insulation will benefit you. Many homes have poorly insulated areas, especially in the attic, basement, and sometimes even exterior walls.
You might also want to consider insulating your ductwork. This helps keep heated air warm as it travels through your ducts to vents and registers in your home. When air loses heat in transit, certain rooms, particularly those farthest from the furnace, can feel colder.
Another useful upgrade is insulating your pipes. During winter, heat can be lost as water travels through uninsulated pipes when you’re using hot water for things like bathing. Insulating your pipes helps prevent this loss, reducing the need to turn up the hot water temperature. You may even be able to lower the temperature setting on your water heater, which can result in lower energy bills. Additionally, insulating your water heater itself helps maintain its warmth, improving overall energy efficiency.
Schedule Maintenance For Your Heating System
You should have your heating system tuned up by a professional once a year to reduce monthly utility bills and prevent unexpected breakdowns. Regular maintenance significantly reduces heating costs by ensuring that your system operates at its highest efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that a well-maintained system can save you 10% on yearly heating costs.
Contact Your Local HVAC Pros
At John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical, we have served the residents of Lincoln, NE and the surrounding areas for over 28 years. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. Additionally, we can help with all your plumbing and electrical needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for heating maintenance with one of our experienced technicians.
