When the winter approaches here in Statesville, NC, most homeowners gird themselves for higher energy costs. According to the EPA, space heating accounts for 42% of the average home’s energy use. But there are some ways you can keep your home warm while lowering your energy bills. Here are 10 of the most effective ways to do it.
1. Schedule a Furnace Tune-up
The simplest thing you can do to cut your heating costs is to schedule a furnace tune-up. Doing so is especially helpful if you haven’t been keeping up with regular furnace maintenance. Without maintenance, your furnace could lose as much as 5% of its efficiency yearly. Considering that the average gas furnace is only 80% efficient when new, that is a big deal.
The same logic applies if your home relies on a heat pump. Air-source heat pumps are typically far more efficient than furnaces. Therefore, it would make sense to maximize that advantage through regular maintenance.
2. Seal Your Ductwork
You may not realize it, but your home’s ductwork could be the Achilles heel of your HVAC system. The Department of Energy reports that the average ducted HVAC wastes up to 30% of its energy via ductwork losses. Much of those losses happen due to air leaks in your ducts. So, inspect the parts of your ductwork that aren’t running through walls to reduce leaks. Check every joint and everywhere you see duct tape.
If necessary, hire a technician to reinforce the seals. You could also have a professional HVAC technician inspect the inside of your ducts with a camera. That would identify any lurking problems so you could choose a solution to address them.
3. Find and Seal Air Leaks
One of the best ways to cut heating bills is to keep as much cold air out of your home as possible. To do that, you should find places where outside air seeps into your home. Such air leaks often happen around the perimeter of windows and exterior doors. They may occur when the caulking used to seal the seams shrinks or deteriorates. You can address that by applying new caulking anywhere you find gaps. You should also look for gaps around hose bibs and pipes that pass through exterior walls.
If you want to be thorough, enlist the help of a friend. Wait until dark and have them shine a light around each exterior opening from the inside. If you can see any light coming through to the outdoors, there’s enough of a gap to allow an air leak. That technique can help you find leaks you may not spot during the day.
4. Lower Your Thermostat
According to the Department of Energy, the ideal thermostat setting in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s warm enough to provide plenty of comfort without overheating your home. Also, remember that you’ll trim your energy use by 1% for each degree you lower your thermostat. So, if you’re used to setting a higher temperature in the winter, you’ll save significantly this way.
5. Install Additional Attic Insulation
Since heat rises, it’s no surprise that your home may experience up to 25% of its heat losses through its attic. That makes upgrading your attic insulation an excellent way to reduce heating costs. According to the North Carolina Energy Office, Statesville homes should have attic insulation with an R-value of at least 38. You could lose substantial heat through your attic if yours is below that.
Fortunately, attic insulation upgrades are easy. Whether your existing insulation is roll insulation or loose fill, you can add additional insulation on top. A qualified contractor can tell you how much new insulation you need and do the work for you.
6. Install a Smart Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat is one of the most effective ways to save on your heating bills. An ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat can save you approximately 8% on your energy costs. Some models promise even more savings, with some touting up to 26% energy savings. They achieve those savings by making more efficient use of your heating system.
For example, many smart thermostats feature AI-powered learning capabilities that let them figure out your daily schedule. That helps them identify opportunities for savings, like when you’re not home or are sleeping. Smart thermostats also use weather data from the internet to understand your home’s heating requirements in real-time.
7. Use Ceiling Fans
If your home has ceiling fans, they can significantly cut your heating costs in the winter. The trick is to run them in reverse, with their blades spinning clockwise at a low speed. That will force hot air trapped at ceiling level down toward the floor without creating a cooling breeze. You may be surprised that the effect is enough to let you turn your thermostat down a degree or two.
8. Use Insulated Curtains
Even if your home has high-quality double-pane windows, they will still be a source of significant heat loss. You can improve their thermal performance by installing insulated curtains, however. They will block heat transfer and prevent heat loss through your windows when closed. Plus, you can open them when it’s sunny to maximize solar heat gains. Insulated curtains also come in varied colors and patterns, so they won’t clash with your home’s décor.
9. Eat at Home More Often
If you love a good home-cooked meal, you should make a point of cooking at home as often as possible. In the winter, doing so will help lower your home’s heating costs. The reason is simple. The appliances in your kitchen give off plenty of residual heat when you use them. That heat will keep your home warmer and reduce your dependence on your heating system. Of course, using your appliances isn’t free, so you’ll see limited energy savings. However, you’ll get tasty, healthy meals in exchange. Plus, you’ll avoid coming and going more frequently from home, keeping more heat inside.
10. Upgrade Your Heating System
Finally, the best way to stay warm for less money this winter is to upgrade your home’s heating system. If you currently have a gas-powered furnace, consider an upgrade to a heat pump. Doing so could almost quadruple your home’s heating efficiency for most of the winter. Heat pumps only lose efficiency in extremely low temperatures, which we don’t experience much here.
You can even choose a cold-weather heat pump for efficient operation at low temperatures. They don’t struggle on cold days and should deliver maximum winter savings. Plus, heat pumps can replace your existing AC, too. As a result, you’d get a year-round HVAC efficiency upgrade that would save you even more money.
Your Winter Energy Savings Ally
Evergreen Heating & Air LLC is a family-owned and -operated business offering affordable HVAC services to homeowners in Statesville. We handle installation, repair, and maintenance. Plus, we provide ductwork services, air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. We’re a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave and have a positive reputation on Angi. So, if you need help improving your Statesville home’s heating efficiency, call Evergreen Heating & Air LLC today!
