5 Easy Ways to Reduce Winter Energy Costs

Winter is bringing in colder temperatures and now is the time to start thinking about how you can effectively cut energy costs. Taking the time to maintain your heating system, upgrade your electrical appliances or weatherproof your home are just a few ways you can save money.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are not only programmable but can also learn your heating and cooling habits with little to no user input. Most models also include energy usage reports to help identify other opportunities or ways to save on your energy consumption. Smart thermostats can help save you up to 20 percent on energy consumption.

Eliminate Drafts

According to Energy Star, drafts and leaks in your home can increase your heating bill by 20 percent. On average that’s over $100 in energy costs just flying out your windows and doors. Have professionals like Bradley Mechanical conduct a home performance test to help identify problem areas and help eliminate drafts and leaks.

Heating System Check-up

Like any machinery, your home’s heating system needs to be properly maintained and sometimes repaired in order to work efficiently. If you heat your home with an HVAC system, clearing the area around your heat pump and removing debris like leaves and twigs can make a big difference. Remembering to replace your air filters every 90 days is a good way to reduce the strain on your system.

For those who use a boiler or furnace should consider having them serviced annually. Having a professional examine and clean the parts that commonly fail can usually help extend the life of your heating system as well as prevent larger problems later on.

Ceiling Fans

When it comes to heating your home in the winter, using a ceiling fan isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. Much of the hot air your heating system puts out rises to the ceiling, leaving colder air closer to the floor. Most ceiling fan models come with a switch to reverse the rotation. Running your fan in a clockwise direction creates an updraft effect that draws cooler air away from the floor and circulates heat down from the ceiling. Some studies have shown that by simply reversing your ceiling fan in the winter can lower heating costs by up to 15 percent!

Insulation

Insulation is an important part in regulating the temperature inside your home. It can also be the most practical and cost-effective way to make your home more energy efficient. Traditionally, homes are most insulated in the attic areas but newer homes may have insulation between walls and in crawl spaces. It’s recommended to have your insulation inspected annually to make sure the insulation materials have not been affected by moisture or mildew.

While there may be several factors than can contribute to higher energy bills, Bradley Mechanical can help pinpoint where your energy overage is coming from. We also provide many home performance services that can make your home more energy efficient and save you money over time. From duct sealing to insulation installation, our trained professionals are dedicated to providing quality service and repair. Give us a call today at (804) 748-6728 to schedule your home performance evaluation.