If you're looking for an easy and effective way to save money on home energy costs, you've come to the right spot.
Because it's true: your HVAC system can count up to 50% of your home energy expenses.
So what's our money-saving secret?
High-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
It's without question that owning a high-efficiency heating and cooling system for your home can help you save up to 70% off your monthly energy bills.
Yet homeowners today still use inefficient furnace and air conditioning systems and waste hard-earned dollars every month, even with skyrocketing gas prices, which are expected to rise even higher.
Why are gas prices rising?
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas prices are rising because the overall global demand is higher than the supply.
How do higher gas prices affect you?
As gas prices increase, the higher your utility bill will cost each month when you switch on your heating system.
Let's compare how it'll affect the average household during a typical six-month heating season and compare household averages between years 2020 and 2021.
- 2020, the average 6-month utility for heating was $573 or $95.50 per month.
- 2021, the average 6-month utility for heating was $746 or $124.33 per month.
As you can see, there has been an increase of about 30% within the past year.
With the increasing demand and government policies like the Carbon Tax, the increase of your heating bill can get even higher, which might come as a concern for some households.
Thankfully, there are ways to manage and keep your energy bill under control.
After all, the natural gas heating system is still by far the least expensive option, in comparison to some other sources of fuel.
Below we'll underline effective tips that you can adopt that'll reduce your heating costs in an affordable range throughout the winter season.
If you want to save up on your gas heating bill, here are some ways to do it.
Request a furnace tune-up
You can always call a professional HVAC company that specializes in furnace repair and furnace installation.
They will help you maintain and optimize your furnace before the heating season begins.
If you want to get more out of the deal and save more, then your best option is to fix your system in the latter part of the year.
When you subscribe to this service, you can expect the following:
1. HVAC service will check the thermostat and check for electrical damage just to make sure everything is working properly.
2. HVAC service will make sure the gas valve is thoroughly inspected and the fuel supply pressure is just right.
3. HVAC service will closely watch the blower operation and the warm airflow to make sure they are performing at an optimal level.
4. HVAC service will clean out the gas burners in order to maintain optimal functioning.
5. HVAC service will check for cracks in the heat exchanger in order to prevent any carbon monoxide leaks.
Get yourself a smart thermostat
This is one of the best ways to help you cut energy costs.
The smart thermostat can be controlled by Wi-Fi and you can very easily control it from your smartphone or tablet from the comfort of your own home or any place in the world for that matter.
The good thing about it is that you can receive notifications in regarding how much energy you are spending at the moment.
There are several smart thermostats out there, and when looking for one, you should consider one with the following features:
1. It should allow you to view data from a mobile device like a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.
2. It should assist you in adjusting the temperature accordingly by having a screen that shows the current humidity and the current temperature within the home, while also showing the weather forecast as well.
3. An economic property that allows adjusting the thermostat level automatically in order to be more energy efficient.
4. It should also contain a setting that will allow you to have an energy-efficient schedule based on your preferences for temperature.
Before you get a thermostat, make sure to connect with your natural gas supplier.
Also, keep in mind that energy providers normally offer a generous rebate for a smart thermostat.
It usually covers a partial amount, but in some cases, it can even cover the full cost of the smart thermostat.
At For Saving, we apply for our customers so they don't have to deal with the headache.
Pick settings on your thermostat that will be efficient in energy saving
When getting a smart thermostat, it means you will be able to add some settings that can potentially lower your heating bill.
And yes, this means that you have to enable these settings yourself.
If you need instructions on how to navigate through the thermostat, here are some tips that could assist you:
1. When you are home
If you want to get the maximum efficiency when it comes to your energy bills, set your thermostat to 68 degrees while you are at home.
If it still feels chilly, try window treatment.
This will help block the loss of heat. Window blankets or honeycomb shades would work perfectly.
Also, during the day, if you have south-facing window treatments, try keeping them open for most parts of the day.
This will let natural heat from the sun inside your own home.
To prevent window air leaks, take some plastic sheeting and cover up your drafty windows.
If you have a ceiling fan, you can set it to reverse in order to disperse the warm air that collects near the ceiling.
Also, make sure your heating vents are not restricted. This will balance the hot air and keep your furnace from working in vain.
You can even book an energy audit.
In terms of finding out any leaks and identifying how much insulation you need, the audit is a great way to save some money and keep your bill on the lower end.
2. When you are asleep
Depending on your personal preferences, the room temperature should be between 60 and 70 degrees.
Most people usually want to sleep in a cool room. Try testing your thermostat and see what works best for you.
3. When you are away
This is an easy one, especially if you do not have pets.
You can leave your thermostat at 50 degrees all throughout the time you are away.
However, as soon as you get back, don’t turn your furnace up all the way as you will be causing an increase in your bill.
Just set it to the regular 68 degrees and you will be good to go.
And if you do have pets, you can turn your thermostat back about 7 to 10 degrees while you are away.
Get yourself a new furnace
Of course, one of the best ways to save on your heating bills is to upgrade to a high-efficiency system.
High-efficiency furnaces are known to save you up to 70% off your monthly energy bill.
Even though the savings can vary depending on the place you live and temperature preferences, over time you'll cut costs and instantly be able to put your hard-earned dollars into another investment or spend it on your next family vacation.
When is it time to replace your furnace?
We highlight some key signs to look out for below.
If you notice these telltale symptoms, it's time for you to replace your furnace.
1. Odd noises and age
These two go together.
First thing is first, if your furnace is over 15 or 20 years of age, then you might start thinking about a replacement.
Also, there is another thing you need to take into consideration here.
If your furnace is making weird noises, please do not let them go unnoticed.
Once you notice odd noises, it's time to call a professional furnace repair or furnace replacement company.
2. Yellow burner flames
Remember that the burner flames in your furnace should be blue, at all times.
Yellow flames mean that the furnace is burning up more fuel, and may even be creating carbon monoxide, which can be highly dangerous in certain amounts.
This is an indication that your furnace should be replaced as soon as possible.
3. Your level of comfort does not match your bills
Are you feeling a bit uncomfortable and cold?
Have your electricity bills spiked yet you feel like the temperature of your home is not at an optimal level?
This means that your furnace uses more energy and does not function on an optimal level and it's time for a replacement.
4. Repairing the furnace or getting a new one
Depending on how old your furnace is, sometimes it is better to get it fixed, and in some cases it is better to have it replaced.
Make sure you check before going into this, because if the costs of the repairs are extremely high, then it is better to have the furnace replaced altogether.
If you have any questions about furnace repair and furnace installations feel free to call 416-335-0881 or float us a note in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.