3 Tips For Reducing Your Monthly Heating Bill

Is your monthly heating bill driving you up the wall? If you are looking for ways to cut your energy costs, you can start by taking steps to make sure that your heater is running as efficiently as possible. An annual check up from a heating contractor can go a long way towards ensuring that everything is operating as it should be. Here are three more specific tips that could lead to you seeing some savings on your heating bill in the near future.

Switch to a Programmable Thermostat

Most modern homes have programmable thermostats but if your home doesn't, it's time to make the switch. A programmable thermostat will allow you to automatically lower the temperature when you go to bed at night or when you leave for work in the morning. You can also set it to have the house nice and heated by the time you return home, so there's really no downside to going programmable other than the installation costs. Those costs are a small price to pay if it translates into long-term energy savings.

Use a Small Space Heater

If you want to reduce your heating system's workload and hopefully lower your heating bill in the process, consider shutting the heating vents to the smaller rooms in your home or to rooms that you are not physically inside of very often. You could also purchase a small space heater for a room like this, to be turned on only when needed. Sure, space heaters will use a little electricity but if you don't use it every day and also allow your main heating system to redirect its efforts elsewhere, you will likely end up saving some money.

Weatherstrip Everything

Most homeowners know to check the windows for a draft due to poor insulation whenever the heating bill unexpectedly climbs upward. But if you really want to step up your insulation game, it's time to go to the home improvement store and get some new weather stripping. Add a weather strip to every window and door in the house and will be helping your heater keep specific rooms warmer without having to constantly pump out as much heat.

If rising heating costs also have your blood pressure climbing upward, talk to a heating contractor to see if there any adjustments that can be made to help your system run more efficiently. Even adding something relatively simple like a programmable thermostat or some new weatherstripping could help you save some cash on your next heating bill.