When winter arrives in New Jersey, everyone’s heating bills go up. But keeping your house warm doesn’t have to drain your wallet. All it takes is a few practical changes to positively impact your monthly utility costs.
Improve Insulation and Seal Air Leaks
When warm air sneaks out through cracks and poorly insulated areas, your heating system works overtime to replace it. To keep the heat inside where it belongs, first add insulation to the attic, crawlspace, or unfinished walls. Then, seal gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and vents with caulk, weatherstripping, or expanding spray foam.
Not sure where your home is leaking heat? A home energy audit from Larry & Sons Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical can pinpoint the trouble spots.
Adjust Thermostat Settings for Efficiency
Lowering the temperature while you’re away prevents your system from heating a vacant house. According to the US Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% on heating costs by setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day. Lower the temperature at night to save even more.
Installing a smart or programmable thermostat makes temperature setbacks simple. Program it to drop the temperature automatically based on your schedule, then warm back up before you wake or return home. You won’t notice a change in comfort, just a lower utility bill.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Heating Equipment
Older heating systems consume far more energy than they should. If your furnace, boiler, or heat pump is more than 15 years old, it might be time for an upgrade.
Modern equipment uses less fuel while providing steady, quiet, consistent heat. Larry & Sons can evaluate your current setup and help you decide if a new heating system makes sense.
Schedule Regular Heating Maintenance
Even the best equipment won’t perform well if you neglect it. Routine maintenance keeps everything running efficiently and prevents problems that can lead to breakdowns later.
A professional tune-up includes things like cleaning the burners, replacing the air filter, testing the safety controls, and verifying proper ventilation. Book maintenance with Larry & Sons early in the season to avoid the winter rush and make sure your system is ready before the cold hits.
Adopt Energy-Saving Habits
There are plenty of ways to cut heating costs without spending a dime. Try these ideas this winter:
- Dress for the season: Wear long pants and a sweatshirt, and keep a blanket handy instead of cranking up the heat.
- Let the sun do some of the work: Open the curtains during the day to let in natural warmth, then close them at night to insulate the glass.
- Keep vents clear: Check your furniture layout to ensure nothing is blocking your supply vents or return registers.
- Use ceiling fans wisely: Run them on low in a clockwise direction to push warm air back down into the living space.
Common Heating Misconceptions That Don’t Actually Save You Money
Heating myths abound. Here are a few to stop believing right now:
- Myth: Turning the thermostat up heats the house faster. The system heats at the same rate, so you’ll just waste energy when you overshoot your target temperature.
- Myth: Space heaters are cheaper to run. Electric resistance heaters are expensive to operate and may be unsafe if used incorrectly.
- Myth: Closing vents in unused rooms saves money. This practice throws off your system’s airflow balance and reduces efficiency. To prevent this, keep at least 80% of your home’s vents open.
- Myth: Adjusting the thermostat throughout the day wastes energy. Actually, strategic setbacks can save quite a bit.
Call Larry & Sons for Expert HVAC Services
Lowering your heating costs isn’t complicated. A few adjustments, regular maintenance visits, and an equipment upgrade or two can make your home more energy-efficient this winter. Larry & Sons would be happy to help. Our friendly technicians offer same-day service, treat your home with care, and guarantee your satisfaction. Financing options and maintenance memberships make it even easier to keep your system in top shape.
If your heater needs attention, please schedule services with us today.
