Five Need-to-Know Winter Energy Savings Tips

Aire Serv has ways to reduce the winter utility bill

WACO, Texas (Dec. 10, 2014) – December 21 marks the official start of winter and heavy storms have already blanketed much of the U.S. Before more storms hit and even colder days arrive, Aire Serv has tips to keep houses warm and the utility bill affordable. Heating costs rise during the winter months but these tips can help reduce the amount of money spent on heating the home.

Adjust the temperature

To decrease the cost of heating a home, lower the thermostat setting when not in the home. The typical thermostat setting during the winter months is 78 degrees. Lower the temperature to 72 degrees when at work or leaving the home for more that a few hours.

Maintain the heating system

One way to reduce the amount of energy spent during the winter months is to make sure the heating system isn’t costing more money than it should to run. Have a certified HVAC technician check over the heating system before the cold weather sets in. A proper furnace tune-up will make sure the system is ready to go for winter.

Keep vents and registers open

Blocked or closed vents and registers make furnaces work harder than they should. Blocked vents do not allow for proper airflow. The furnace will continue to run but the rooms will not heat up. Always unblock and open all vents and registers before running the furnace.

Check the thermostat

Before starting the furnace, check to make sure the thermostat is in proper working order. To reduce the electric bill, install a programmable thermostat to control the temperature of the home from a mobile device.

Turn down the water heater temperature

According to energy.gov, water heaters can account for up to 25 percent of the energy consumed in the home. By turning the temperature of the water heater down to 120 degrees, homeowners can reduce the amount of energy it takes to run the water heater.

For more tips about energy savings, visit here. To learn more about furnace inspection, click here.