No matter what heat source you use it is likely to increase your electric bill. Most people have natural gas, but there is typically an electric blower moving the warm air through air ducts, which works longer and harder when the air drops to help maintain the desired home temperature.
The blower then increases your electric bill.
You can’t just turn it off because then your home will be cold, so what can you do within reason to keep your energy bills low in the winter months. For starters, you can follow these four furnace saving guides below and even some of the tips at the end of the article as well.
These easy to do tasks will help keep your home energy efficient and all you spend your hard earned money where you want instead of where you have to.
How can I Save Money on My Electric Bill?
Maintain Your Furnace
It common to forget about your furnace until you need it, but caring for it all your long will lengthen its lifespan and maintain its efficiency.
There are so many pieces and parts to check which you can do on your own on a regular basis especially during the winter months. More importantly, you need to have a professional HVAC technician check your entire heating system once a year.
They will do an extensive check to make sure each part of the heating system works correctly, and warm air is running throughout your home to keep it warm and cozy while performing at its best level.
If you are someone who thinks this is a great idea but seems to forget to schedule an appointment, typically in the fall, for their annual professional maintenance, then you may want to look into furnace maintenance plan.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you already own a programmable thermostat then set it. This is a great feature that doesn’t take much time or effort to change it allows you to heat your home when it is needed.
If you don’t have one and aren’t ready to invest in one, then get in the habit of turning your thermostat down when you are going to be gone all day.
However, don’t make it a habit to continually change the thermostat because it will but more work on your furnace and cause your bill to rise instead of lower.
Change Furnace Filters
If you change your filter monthly, it cuts down on the restriction of airflow making your furnace run more efficiently. Manufactures recommend 1-3 months before you change them but the cleaner the filter the easier it is on your furnace.
Set a monthly reminder, so you don’t forget out on this money saving tip.
Take Care of Your Fire Place Plug it and Seal it off.
Fireplaces are like open windows letting the warm air escape from your home.
If you do use your fireplace then great, but use it smart!
Close the damper when it is not in use. Make sure your damper is well sealed. Add tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system.
What uses the Most Electricity in your Home?
Hands down your heating and cooling system use the most energy in your home. It is almost half of your entire homes energy use.
The following items are what make up the other half of your energy use water heater, washer and dryer, lights, refrigerator, eclectic oven, entertainment system, dishwasher and your computer.
Where is there Energy Waste in my Home?
The EPA has come up with a handy tool called the Home Energy Yardstick! You can plug in some information and see where you rank regarding energy use in your area.
You can also have a home energy audit performed by a professional.
How can you use Less Electricity at Home?
Beyond the four-main winter saving tips, you can do a few other things to reduce your energy bill. Some tips cost more money before you save while other are simple things you could do. It will take a little change in your habits before you start saving money on your bills, but it will be worth the effort when you save some money.
Here are Some Other Energy Efficiency Tips:
- Make sure you are properly insulated
- Use ceiling fans to push warm air back down in the room
- Unplug vampire sucking items when they are not in use
- Use power strips to turn things off more often
- Allow sunlight to come in during the winter
- Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees
- Update appliances to energy efficient ones
- Seal your home from any drafts
- Turn Lights off when you don’t need them