Below freezing winter temperatures have arrived in Maryland, which means furnaces and HVAC units are likely working overtime to keep houses warm and cozy. Unfortunately, energy prices are growing rapidly for all consumers, regardless of the type of energy used for heating.

For many Marylanders, this can huge bump in energy costs is going to be a real shock when they get their bills. That’s why now’s the time to take whatever steps to reduce your energy consumption and ensure that your heating system is in good working order.

To help you prioritize, here are four money-saving tips to help you reduce your energy usage—and hopefully your bills—this winter.

Cover and Seal Windows

The biggest challenge when heating a home is that they tend to lose a lot of warm air through drafty windows and doors. According to the Department of Energy, Low-E exterior or interior storm windows with weatherstripping at all movable joints can reduce heating costs by as much as 33 percent.

While you may or may not want to replace your windows entirely, it’s always a good idea to take steps to reduce drafts. The first step is to cover and seal them with heavy-duty plastic on the inside of the windows. You can easily find kits to do this at your local hardware store. The next step is to seal any cracks. You can do this with silicone or caulk, but also be sure to replace any weatherstripping that has worn away.

Upgrade Your Insulation

We all learned in school that heat rises. For homeowners, this means that one of their biggest sources of heat loss is their roof.

To help prevent this, it’s a good idea to consider upgrading your insulation. Having the right type and amount of insulation in your attic, crawlspaces, and walls can go a long way to reducing heat loss, ensuring your heating system isn’t working overtime to keep your home cozy. According to Energy Star, Maryland homeowners should get insulation rated between R38 and R60.

Bundle Up

One way to reduce your energy bill is to lower the temperature in your home. Most experts, including Energy.gov, suggest that 68° is the ideal temperature that balances comfort and heat usage. And by turning your thermostat down an additional 7° – 10° for eight hours a day can shave as much as 10 percent off your energy bill.

Now, that might be too chilly for some. Ideally, you can lower the temperature when you’re not home. The good news is that a programable or smart thermostat can do the work for you, so you don’t need to remember to turn it down and up daily!

Maintain Heating System

One of the best ways to keep your energy bills lower even while prices are rising is to make sure your heating system is working efficiently. And to do that, it’s best to have it serviced by a professional.

At Anchor Mechanical, we’re happy to help you keep your heating system working properly. Contact us to schedule a maintenance visit from one of our heating experts before it gets too late—or too cold!

Related Posts: