Reduce your Heating Bill, but Increase Your Comfort

It’s that time of year again. Yes, the holidays are right around the corner. But specifically, we’re referring to the fact that it’s time to start heating your home again. No one likes to see a high bill, though it’s inevitable that we’ll have a few cold snaps that lead to increased energy usage. And everyone likes sitting around the warm fireplace. That’s why we’re here today to talk about how to reduce your heating bill but increase your comfort at the same time.

Cover your hardwood floors

First, if your home has hardwood floors, consider laying down some area rugs. These can be decorative (so they match your room’s style) or functional (though perhaps not as eye-catching or aesthetically pleasing).

A rug can keep your feet from feeling colder while helping to reduce the amount of heat it will take to warm your room.

Switch your fan’s rotational direction

Did you know that your ceiling fans can spin in two different directions? This is because heat rises.

In the winter, you want to push that heat back down into your room by switching your fan to spin clockwise. In the summer, the opposite is true and your fans should spin counterclockwise. In both scenarios, this can help reduce your energy usage.

Use residual heat when available

First, we are not advocating you proactively use your stove as a heating source. We want to make that perfectly clear.

However, you will eventually use your oven to bake cookies this season, right? So, after you’re done, leave the stove door open. This will allow the residual heat to permeate throughout your home and help to reduce your energy usage.

Use zone heating

Do you have some rooms that you rarely use during the winter months? Then close the door to them. Only heat the areas where your family will be active. Alternatively, if you have a second thermostat for your home, use it to create heating zones.

Be proactive

Before winter comes roaring in, take some proactive steps. Another way to reduce your heating bill but increase your comfort is to caulk windows and door frames. In addition, if you have any older windows, be sure to swap out the screens for storm windows as soon as you can.

Use a gas fireplace insert

Wood-burning fireplaces are awesome and make a great addition to any home. However, if you need to reduce your heating bill but want to increase your comfort, consider switching to a gas-powered unit. With these conversion kits, your Chimney Solutions technician can easily make the transition for you. This has the advantage of providing you with a consistent level of heat that can work in conjunction with your HVAC system.

Reduce your heating bill with the help of Chimney Solutions

These tips, when done properly, can easily help you reduce your heating bill while also increasing your comfort. Of course, we’re always happy to talk about other solutions, such as ensuring your fireplace damper works properly, that your chimney is clear of creosote or other blockages, and help you make informed choices on your home heating setup.

Would you like to learn more? Then call the team at Chimney Solutions, LLC at (317) 757-6979 or send us a message through our website contact form here.