Heating our homes isn’t a luxury — it’s essential for our health. It can also be pretty expensive, especially here in the Peach State.
With the fifth-highest bills for energy usage in the United States, at an average of nearly $330 a month, it makes sense to look for ways to make our heating systems more efficient.
Thankfully, there are ways to reduce your energy bills if you know how to handle, use and maintain your current HVAC system.
Don’t know how? Let’s run through 5 common home heating mistakes that you can look to avoid to help you reduce your outgoings.
1. Neglected Maintenance
The best HVAC system for your home isn’t dependant on the features it offers, it’s dependant on how well you keep it maintained.
Even the most expensive home heating systems can’t run efficiently if you don’t schedule regular maintenance for at least twice a year. Think of it the same way you’d think of having your car serviced.
Neglecting your heating maintenance, especially after a period of downtime (for example, over the summer months), could leave your system running at a much lower efficiency and could potentially cause damage.
2. Too Much Adjustment of the Thermostat
It’s natural to want to turn up the temperature on your thermostat if you’re a little chilly. Unfortunately, this could be costing you extra money on your energy bills.
Running your heating system at higher temperatures can cause damage in the long run, as well as increase your energy consumption. Try to keep temperatures a little lower, and if you’re still cold, throw on some extra clothing instead.
This is where an understanding of energy efficiency can come in handy. Do you know how much your heating is costing you, day to day? This guide should help you get to grips with the cost.
3. Leaving Your Windows Open
You turn your thermostat up, get warm, then get too warm, so you decide to open up a window, and the cycle repeats itself.
This is probably the easiest heating mistake to avoid if you’re looking to cut down your average heating bill. Cooling down a home might take a few minutes if your window is left open, but heating it can take hours.
Don’t let warm air escape and don’t waste energy. If you want to stay cool, raise your thermostat temperature incrementally. Once you hit a happy temperature, keep it there.
4. Keeping Your Curtains Closed
If your windows are a little drafty, you might think that keeping your curtains closed can help to keep the warmth in.
This might be true at night, but you might be adding extra to your energy bills if you keep your curtains closed during the day. It might not feel warm outside, but sunlight pouring through your windows can help to raise the temperature inside.
Let the sun do your heaters job for you. It might not get you to the temperature you want, but it might bring you a few degrees closer.
5. Dirty or Clogged Filters
Heating systems involve fans, fans involve the air. Combine the two, and you’ll end up with a lot of dust and, if you’re not cleaning or replacing your air filters, you’ll also end up with a heating system that’s struggling to cope.
Without suitable air flow, components in your HVAC system might end up damaged, and you may end up using more electricity in the process.
Cleaning or replacing air filters on your HVAC system can help improve the efficiency of it by up to 25%. Have them checked, and if necessary, cleaned or replaced on a regular basis.
Keep Your Home Heating System in Working Order
Heating your home doesn’t have to be expensive. These home heating mistakes can be avoided by taking necessary precautions.
Maintenance plays a big part in the efficiency of your home. Get your filters replaced regularly, avoid thermostat tinkering, and don’t forget to have your HVAC system serviced as the season’s change to help lower your bills.
If you’re based in the Metro Atlanta area, get in touch and we’ll get your system tuned up, fast.
