7 Tips to Lower Your Heating Bill in Boise During the Winter

Your home is probably at the top of the list of your most cherished investments. It helps you financially through improving equity, and it’s an area to watch your family grow and create memorable moments, too. During the winter, you could also face increased utility costs.

As a consequence, finding methods to lower your heating bill in the U.S. without compromising comfort can seem difficult.

As far as energy efficiency, residences are like motor vehicles. Some guzzle energy while others drink it steadily. Regardless of what kind of residence you own, there are steps to halt the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven tips to keep you comfortable without driving up your energy bill.

1. Replace Your Your Air Filter

It’s the most inexpensive recommendation that exists. It’s also the best way to keep your heating system functioning smoothly through the winter.

The type of filter and seasonal determinants affect how frequently you should replace it. Soaring allergen counts, pets and residence size may also impact its durability. Typically, inexpensive filters should be changed monthly. Pleated ones made with thicker material might work for three months or longer.

“It’s really the major thing homeowners ignore,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more full the filter is, the less air is able to go through it and actually heat the home. A dirty filter makes your HVAC system work harder.”

2. Schedule Routine HVAC Service

It’s standard to have a tech stop by your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is ready for the heat.

But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it gets cold too.

Among other procedures, an inspection commonly covers:

Examining thermostat settings
Cleaning and greasing internal parts
Inspecting system shutdown and startup procedures

Regular service helps lower the odds of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been avoided with standard maintenance.

3. Check Windows and Doors for Leaks

Windows and doors are a leading entry point for cold air. Sealing window and door frames is an inexpensive approach to help keep frigid air outside.

Here’s one test that Hughes suggests.

Close a door. Is any light visible? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not totally sealed. Changes or weather-stripping might be needed.

If your house has single-pane windows, you may want to think over a dual-pane upgrade.

Many homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic wrap.

It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide superior insulation for keeping chilled air outside.

When you add double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or higher.

4. Restrict Use of Vented Appliances

If you use the exhaust fan during cooking, Hughes recommends against leaving it going for too long.

The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t let it to run after your clothes are dry.

Any venting appliance or exhaust fan expels hot air away from your home and pulls in cold air. Using these appliances longer than needed will force your furnace to use more energy to handle the unnecessary cold.

5. Examine Your House’s Edges for Cracks

Examine your home’s building envelope. This is the area that protects your home from the weather. If there’s a basement, watch for fluttering cobwebs or cold trickling in close by the corners.

Polyurethane products and other options can be used to fix basement walls letting air into your residence. Another cost-effective tip is to add foam seals for fixture undersides, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.

They’re easy to use and are awesome at stopping cold air in the winter.

6. Measure Insulation Levels in Your Attic

It’s worth ensuring that you have appropriate insulation levels

Hughes recommends checking the ENERGY STAR® zone map to locate the recommended R-value for your house’s walls and attic space. This suggestion is based on the geographic spot where you’re located.

7. Sign Up for Our Advantage Program™

Winter can be tough for homeowners with old systems.

If your furnace is failing or needing expensive repair, there’s a decent chance you’re not set to spend thousands on a new system.

That’s why we provide our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you avoid expensive fixes through a small monthly fee.

We’ll also install a high-efficiency system in your house. Plus our Expert specialists will fix and maintain it for you without any added out-of-pocket cost