Save on Heating Costs

After a typical scorching west Texas summer, most of us look forward to cooler fall and winter weather.  But as the outside temperatures fall, the indoor heating costs inevitably go up.  That peaceful, picturesque winter landscape can quickly result in utility bills that are not nearly as pretty.

While we can’t change the weather outside, we can take a proactive look at our household habits to see if there are smart ways to save money while being a bit more environmentally conscious.

With that in mind, let’s look at some easy, low-cost habit changes that will benefit your budget and the environment:

1. Practice Layered Insulation ~ You can keep your living spaces comfortable without immediately turning up the thermostat. Try adding thick area rugs to hardwood or tile floors to help insulate your rooms from under-floor drafts. Dress in cozy layers like warm sweaters and thick socks during the day, and swap out your lightweight summer bedding for flannel sheets and extra blankets at night.
2. Clean or Change Your Air Filters ~ This is one of the most important home maintenance tips, yet it’s often completely overlooked! Clogged air filters force your heating system to work twice as hard to circulate warm air, driving up your energy consumption. Routinely checking and replacing your filters ensures clean, clear airflow and protects your furnace from unnecessary wear and tear.
3. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings ~ Get into the habit of lowering your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees when your family is out of the house for the day. For the best results, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices automatically adjust the temperature based on your daily routine, ensuring you aren’t wasting money heating an empty home.
4. Schedule a Professional Furnace Tune-Up ~ Having a local professional inspect and service your HVAC system before the dead of winter hits is well worth the upfront cost. Older, unserviced furnaces can drop down to just 60% to 70% efficiency. A quick professional tune-up ensures everything is firing safely and operating at peak performance.
5. Stop the Drafts and Window Leaks ~ Check your windows and exterior doors for hidden air leaks. A classic way to detect them is to carefully hold a lit candle near window frames and watch if the flame flickers in a specific direction. If you discover a draft, seal it up immediately using standard exterior caulk, foam insulation tape, or temporary plastic insulation sheets.
6. Let the Sunshine Do the Work ~ Take full advantage of natural solar heat! Open your window shades and blinds during peak daylight hours to let the West Texas sunshine naturally warm your home’s interior rooms. Just remember to close them tightly the moment the sun goes down to help lock that ambient heat inside for the night.
7. Warm Up Isolated Living Zones ~ If you spend most of your evening in one specific room, consider using a safe space heater to warm that isolated area instead of turning on your entire central heating system. To maximize this, close the vents and shut the doors in spare bedrooms or storage spaces that aren’t actively being used to avoid wasting heat.
8. Turn Down Your Water Heater ~ Many manufacturer default settings place home water heaters at 140 degrees. Reducing your water heater’s maximum temperature down to 120 degrees is much safer for your skin, prevents accidental scalding, and significantly reduces your ongoing standby heating costs.

Taking just a few of these simple preventative steps is a brilliant way to prepare for the colder winter utility cycles. If you are looking for more ways to keep your household budget tightly organized or want to set up an automated emergency savings account for seasonal expenses, call, click, or stop by Abilene Teachers FCU today!