Cut Your Heating Costs This Winter

You can cut your heating costs this winter with any of the following and realize savings of hundreds of dollars:

1. The type of fuel used to heat your home varies greatly. While the average homeowner with natural gas paid about $660 for fuel last year, those heating with oil paid $1,590, propane paid $1,750 and electricity paid $2,135. So if your system is over 15 years old, and you have the option to switch to gas fuel, you see you could save hundreds. However, keep in mind that converting could cost you up to about $10K taking 5 to 10 years to realize your full savings.
2. Don’t buy into false advertising claims to cut your heating costs this winter with getting your ductwork cleaned. Unless you can visibly see dust, mold or signs of vermin, cleaning your ducts will not cut your heating costs this winter. However, sealing the ducts is a great way to improve efficiency because 25 to 40 percent of conditioned air is lost through ducts that leak.
3. Another way to cut your heating costs this winter is to have your system serviced by a licensed professional, like those at LHT Cooling, Heating and Refrigeration, Inc. In addition to a Spring and Fall cleaning, remember to change your filters on a monthly basis.
4. Check for drafts and leaks in windows, doors and exterior walls. You can hold a candle near the door or window and turn on your exhaust fan. You can also do this at all electrical outlets.
5. Your attic should have at least 11 inches of fiberglass or 8 inches of cellulose insulation. That goes for the access door to the attic. Be sure all openings are sealed before insulation is installed paying special attention to plumbing vents and electrical boxes.
6. We do not recommend using a space heater in the bathroom or kitchen, even those that say they are GFCI protected.
7. For optimal efficiency and the biggest bang to cut your heating costs this winter is to dial down the thermostat. Temperatures during the day should be set no higher than 68 degrees and no higher than 60 degrees at night.

Using any one of these tips or a combination of several will indeed cut your heating costs this winter!