Winter has arrived, and while we’re not exactly buried in snow here in the Inland Empire, we’re still using our heating systems on a regular basis. Heating bills tend to go up as a matter of course during the colder months, and we’re used to paying more for our heating simply because we’re using our heaters much more often. Just because you’re paying more for a comfortable home, however, doesn’t mean you should pay more than is necessary. You can take some easy-to-implement steps this winter to cut into those costs and help stay warm.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
We have a tendency to simply let the heat run all day in the Southland, even when there’s no one home to enjoy it. The logic goes that it costs more to warm the home up after a day away than it does simply to keep the heater running all day. Nothing could be further from the truth. Set the thermostat to 65 degrees when there’s no one home, then program it to warm the house up 15-20 minutes before the first person arrives home at the end of the day. The house will be as comfortable as it always was, and you’d be surprised how much lower your monthly heating bills will be.
New smart thermostats can help make that process even more efficient: analyzing your heating and cooling habits, then making little adjustments to automatically save energy. If your thermostat is more than 10 years old, you might want to look into getting it replaced with a new one.
Get Your Heater Serviced
A servicing session isn’t strictly a repair session. It’s closer to a tune-up on your automobile. The technician takes a very close look at the heating system and searches for any problems that might be brewing. If the problem is small, it can be fixed as part of the servicing session. A clogged burner, for instance, or a loose fitting on one of the components can be cleared up in a matter of seconds once the technician notices it. In the event more work is required, the technician can schedule a repair session as soon as the servicing session is done. Either way, the heater will perform more effectively once the session is over and do its job without using quite so much fuel. When applied regularly, once a year or so, it can even help extend the life of your heater.
Seal Those Cracks
You may have a crack under your door or window that lets warm air out even when it’s closed. That problem is just as bad in the summer when cool air can escape through the same means. You can fix the problem yourself by purchasing weather stripping at the local hardware store, then using it to seal the crack shut. Your home will retain heat more readily, and you won’t have to pay any more than you need to for the privilege.
For quality heating service in Riverside, CA, call on RKM Heating & Air Conditioning today!