Your Winter Heating Bills: Act Now, Pay Less Later

Are you ready for winter? It seems that just as you quit worrying about your cooling bills, it’s time to consider your winter heating bills. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your home warm and save you money this winter.

• Maintain a comfortable temperature. Buying and using a programmable thermostat can save you time, energy and money. Most models offer different settings for various times throughout the day, which allow you to trust that indoor temperatures will be set properly daily and weekly. Remember your water heater, as well. Set the temperature to no higher than 125 degrees. Consider new equipment, including a tankless water heater, for even greater efficiency.
• Seal windows and doors. When you turn on the heat, where does it go? Hopefully, the heat will stay inside your home for many hours. But if you have air leaks around your windows, doors and other leak-prone areas, your winter heating bills will rise as your HVAC equipment has to work harder to compensate. Take the time to make sure your doors and windows shut tightly. Where you see leaks, seal them with caulking or weatherstripping.
• Check insulation and ductwork. Similarly, now is a good time to look at your attic insulation and your HVAC ductwork. If your insulation is inadequate, your home won’t retain heat as long as it should. And if you have leaky ductwork, you could be losing a significant amount of your heated air. If you aren’t sure how to inspect or repair your ducts, be sure to contact a professional.
• Keep equipment in good condition. Regular upkeep is key to getting the best return on your investment in your home. This means performing simple maintenance, such as checking and replacing your furnace air filter regularly and keeping warm-air registers clean. And you should always schedule a tune-up and inspection of your heating system before the weather changes. Your technician can test for problems and make sure everything is in proper working order.

When you need advice about lowering your winter heating bills and other HVAC or plumbing needs, contact the experts at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We serve the Indianapolis Metro area.