Tip of the day

by | Jan 24, 2020 | Uncategorized

Is it cheaper to leave the cooling off all day?
According to leading energy experts at the Energy Saving Trust, as well as British Gas, the idea that it’s cheaper to leave the cooling off all day is a myth. … (Using a timer’s best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your cooling on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it.)

How Do Heating Systems Work?

There’s a common misconception about how to define “heat.” Instead of an object “possessing heat,” an object has internal energy that can be increased or reduced. Increasing an object’s internal energy is the proper way to define “heating.”

There are two ways to increase the internal energy of an object:

  • Transfer energy to the object from a higher temperature (hotter) object – The most common way to increase the internal energy of an object is to create combustion and heat the object with a fire of some sort.
  • Apply work – You can also increase the internal energy of the object by applying a force called “work” on the object.

There are three major components of every heating system:

  • Heating source – This is the fuel and mechanical system that heats your home. Furnaces and boilers are the most popular sources of heating power. Some also use electricity or burn wood.
  • Distribution – From the heat source, these distribution channels move the heat around the home. Forced-air systems use ducts, and radiators use steam or hot water to transfer the heat.
  • Control system – Most of today’s heating systems use a thermostat to control the temperature of the room.

THE BIGGEST REASON YOUR HEATING BILL IS TOO HIGH

Updated on January 13, 2020 | by: Devon Rhodes

Winter is coming. With temperatures outside dropping, many homes will start to see their heating bills increase. Learn what factors can cause your bill to go up and what you can do to lower it while still keeping your home warm. 

Young woman checking bills, taxes, bank account balance and calculating credit card expenses at home
Kittiphan Teerawattanakul / EyeEm / Getty Images

WHAT INCREASES YOUR HEATING BILL? 

There are a few factors that can contribute to your heating bill being higher than normal in the winter months. 

Seasonal Changes

Obviously, as it gets colder outside, we want to be warmer inside our homes. This causes people to set their thermostats higher than normal to really crank up the heat. Depending on the temperature change between your home and the outside world, your furnace could be working overtime to maintain the heat that keeps you comfortable. 

Additional Laundry 

One way to combat the chill in the winter is to pile on layers. Whether it’s extra clothes or multiple blankets, all of these items are going to need to be washed at some point. This will result in having to do more laundry, and constantly running the dryer will also increase your energy or heating bill. 

Poor Insulation 

If your home is older, or not properly insulated, you could be losing heat through leaky windows or drafty doors. Since the heat is leaking freely due to poor insulation, you might find that you’ll need to run your heater more often or at a higher temperature to maintain your comfort levels. This will significantly increase your heating bill and you’ll be left wondering why your house doesn’t seem as warm as it should be when the heater is always running.

Inefficient Furnace 

Another large hit to your wallet could be the fact that your furnace isn’t functioning as it should. If the heating system is outdated or hasn’t been serviced in a while, it could be struggling to hit optimal performance. 

HOW TO LOWER YOUR HEATING BILL 

If you want to bring your heating bill down, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the amount of energy you are using in your home. 

Set Your Thermostat to a Lower Temperature

While this may seem counterproductive when you want to stay warm, you likely won’t feel it if you drop the temperature a few degrees. However, those few degrees could save about 5% to 10% on your heating costs. 

Purchase a Programmable Thermostat

When you set your regular thermostat, it will cycle at all hours of the day and night to ensure that your home stays at the temperature you desire. With a programmable thermostat, the system can be set to only run when people are home. This helps reduce the cost of your heating bill since you are only using the heat when you need it instead of heating or cooling an empty house. 

Bundle Up With Layers 

Keeping your home at a lower temperature and staying warm with layers can help you stay comfortable while also keeping your heating bill down. With the thermostat lowered, the extra laundry won’t adversely affect your energy or heating bill. Wear thick socks, layer shirts and sweaters, or cuddle up under some blankets so that you can stay warm without spending extra money. 

 Increase Insulation 

Whether you need to add weatherstripping around doors or want to upgrade to double-paned windows, taking these steps can increase the insulation in your home and help keep the heat inside. Not only will the added insulation help keep you warm in the winter — it will also help keep you cool in the summer and save on year-round energy costs. 

 Get Your Furnace Serviced

To prevent your furnace from overworking, you’ll want to get it checked to ensure that everything is working properly. It is recommended that furnaces are serviced at least once a year, especially before the colder months set in. An HVAC specialist can check all aspects of the furnace and perform a quick tuneup to get your system functioning correctly. 

 STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT AN HVAC EXPERT 

At HVAC.com, we can connect you with knowledgeable specialists in your area that can help with any HVAC issues you might have. Browse our site for useful information and resources, then let us find the best HVAC professionals to address your needs. FacebookTwitterLinkedInPinterestShare