Are you looking for ways to lower your winter energy costs? You can do many simple things when it gets frigid outside to help reduce your heating expenses this winter. At Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling, we want to help you achieve the highest level of comfort in your Northeast Ohio home while not breaking the bank doing it.

Seal your home

An air leak occurs when your home’s inside air escapes or when the outside air infiltrates your home. Reducing this leakage by applying weather-stripping or caulking is an easy and cost-effective way to lower your monthly energy bill.

A clever method of discovering leaks is by slowly moving a lit candle around your window and exterior door frames. If the flame flickers, you’ve found a leak. Just make sure to keep the candle away from the curtains!

Cover drafty windows

If sealing your windows isn’t an option, you can use plastic window-covering kits available at any hardware store. These are inexpensive and will save you considerable energy consumption while increasing your level of comfort. They’re also easy to apply and will save you quite a bit of money on your energy bill.

Close the flue

Your fireplace’s flue is a natural air leakage path. The flue should always be open when using your fireplace, but keep it closed otherwise. Also, investing in a fireplace flue sealer is an inexpensive way to prevent heated air from escaping via the chimney when your fireplace isn’t in use.

Temperature down, bundle up

Most of us set our thermostats a bit warmer than necessary during the winter months. Instead, try setting your thermostat lower and wearing warmer clothing. Toss an extra blanket on your bed, and wear socks while sleeping. For even more savings, turn your thermostat down by 10° F when you’re not going to be home.

Upgrade your thermostat

For more efficient heating, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. You’ll have better control over your home’s temperature on different days and times. In addition, these thermostats are reasonably priced, and you’ll recover the cost within the first year of use.

Insulate the attic

We all learned in elementary school that heat rises, and it’s no secret that heat is lost through the roof of your home. Inspect the insulation in your attic to ensure it’s sufficiently deep and covers every square inch of space. You can also have one of our expert technicians perform a home energy test to evaluate your insulation needs.

Use a space heater

If you spend most of the time in a few rooms, consider heating the occupied area with a space heater. It’s much cheaper to heat one room than to heat the whole house. As always, follow safety precautions and never use an outdoor heater inside.

Change your filter regularly

A clean filter ensures that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible and is crucial to promoting healthy indoor air quality. It’s a good idea to follow your furnace manufacturer’s recommendations, but we recommend changing your filter monthly, especially if you have pets. A clogged filter restricts airflow and forces your furnace to work much harder than necessary to maintain the set temperature.

Annual furnace tune-ups

Preventative maintenance is essential to your HVAC system’s continued health. For example, you can keep your furnace from leaving your family cold in the middle of the night. An annual tune-up will also keep your furnace working at ideal efficiency, providing you with the most heat for the money spent. An added advantage of regular maintenance is a longer system life span, saving you even more money!

Turn down your water heater

Most water heaters are set to 140deg; F by default. Turn it down to 120° F and keep your water nice and hot while saving money. A lower temperature can also reduce mineral buildup and corrosion.

Contact us today

Learn more about how you can save money heating and cooling your home! Call our professional team today at 844-HEY-NEIGHBOR or request service online. Our experts are available 24/7 to help keep your family comfortable and safe.