Heating bills can really start to add up during the winter months and many people see the increase in their January electric and gas bills. Typically, in Central Texas, we have mild fall temperatures and people feel comfortable turning off air conditioners and heaters to enjoy the gorgeous weather. During the month of December, temperatures start to cool off and heaters are turned on for the first time. Did you know that it costs about 2-3 times more to heat a home than it does to cool it? Decorating for the holidays with lights, hosting friends and family, and cooking holiday meals also may increase your bills. January can be a tight month already with the Christmas bills coming due, so here are some tips for how to keep your heating bills as low as possible this season.
One of the best ways to prevent high heating bills is to set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the winter months. Break out the blankets and get cozy with your loved ones. Every degree below 68 degrees adds up to major savings. Most savings are calculated at between 3-8 % per degree. Those dollars can really add up. The same is true however, in the opposite direction; every degree over 68 degrees means an increase in your heating bill of between 3-8%. So, remember to set that thermostat at or below 68 degrees this winter season.
If you read our blog posts on a regular basis, you have read this next tip before. Make sure to change your air filter on a monthly basis. This one simple step can save you so much money and help keep your heating and cooling system working at peak performance for a much longer time. Keeping the air vents and filter clean, helps your system to run efficiently in addition to ensuring that the air you breath is as healthy as possible. 1st AC & Heating makes it easy to buy filters for your home with our online ordering service. Check out this service by clicking here. If you need help changing out the filter, we would be happy to schedule this service for you as well. Give us a call or shoot us an email if you need help or have any questions.
If you keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees or lower and change your air filter monthly then you should be able to keep your heating costs fairly low during the winter months. Here are a couple of more things you can do to lower your monthly bills.
If your water heater is located in an area that is not heated or cooled, make sure to wrap it with insulation. This will help the unit not have to work as hard to heat the water. Wrapping exposed pipes will help protect them during extreme weather and also help the unit work more efficiently.
Closing drapes at night and in windows that do not receive direct sunlight will help keep rooms warmer.
If you have a fireplace, make sure that the damper is closed when not being used. This will prevent cold drafts from entering your home.
Wearing clothing that is appropriate for the season will also help cut costs. Even if you are inside, wear a sweatshirt or sweater to help keep warm and cover up with a blanket when you sit down on the couch to watch TV or check your phone for updates. When you are comfortable, you will be less tempted to bump the temperature on the thermostat up.
We hope these tips help you and your family to stay warm and comfortable this winter season without breaking the bank. Remember to check out the 1st AC and Heating website to order your air filter for this month.