Four Steps to Lower Heating Bill Costs

Summer is quickly coming to an end and fall will once again be upon us. With the arrival of fall comes not only cooler weather, but increased heating costs. With costs going up in all general services, you can expect to see an increase in your heating bills this winter. Is there really a way to lower heating bill costs during the cold season?

The increase in cost of services is directly related to market conditions. Global price fluctuations affect our local economy. Obviously, this is something that is out of our control. However, there are some steps that we can take to lower our heating costs throughout the fall and winter.

1. Ensure that your heating and air conditioning systems are properly maintained. Yearly checks of your home systems will verify that they are in top-notch condition. We had some issues with our heating system during this past winter. Once it was cleaned and serviced, the problem disappeared.

2. Older homes have manual thermostats. Programmable thermostats allow you to know exactly what the temperature in your home is. You can adjust it as needed. Programming your thermostat at night is another option that you can enjoy.

3. Another way to lower heating bill costs is to search for areas in your home where heat might be escaping. We found that our gas fireplace had two gaping holes in the bottom that we didn’t know about. We had always noticed a slight draft in our living room but never could figure out why. Sealing and weather stripping these areas will save you money.

4. Look at that attic access in your home. Is air escaping through that access area as well? If so, you can purchase a heat tent at any local hardware store. Make sure that your attic is also properly insulated as this is another area of your home in which you are likely to lose heat.

These small steps will not only lower heating bill costs, but put money back into your pocket in the long run. Despite rising costs in all general services, there is a way to offset this. The good news is that if you have to spend any money, it will be minimal!