Save on your heating costs

A Winter Wonderland

You felt like the crisp fall afternoons would stick around forever, with crunchy red leaves and pumpkin spice galore. But before you know it, the days start getting shorter. You wake up one morning to a frost-covered windshield — and that’s when you have to accept it: winter is coming. 

We love hot chocolate, holiday music, and snowball fights. But winter also means keeping your house warm. And expensive heating bills can leave you feeling anything but holly jolly.

The Woes of Winter Heating Costs

Our hometown is in on the Wasatch Front in Davis County, Utah. Winters here are long and cold. Sometimes it stays well below freezing for days at a time, and nighttime lows can drop into the single digits. We’re no strangers to chilly temperatures. That’s why we want to help you stay warm this winter.

We know you want to keep your house cozy and comfortable through this snowy season. But you don’t want a sky-high heating bill to eat up your extra resources. 

We get it. You have other things to worry about. So we’ve compiled 12 simple, no-stress ways to reduce your winter heating bill. Try a few of these out. You’ll save money and have more time and energy to spend with your loved ones.

12 Easy Tips to Help You Save on Your Winter Heating Bill 

1. Look at Your Past Heating Trends

Take a few minutes to look at your energy costs from the past several winters. Ask yourself questions like the following: 

  • What was my average energy cost last winter?
  • Which months were the most expensive? 
  • How much do I want to save on heating bills?
  • How much effort am I willing to put in? 

Asking questions like this will help you see trends and set goals. If this is a casual task for you, you can choose a small change or two. If you want to cut your bill way down, you can make larger adjustments. Set your groundwork in advance!

2. Drop the Temperature a Degree or Two

You won’t notice a small temperature change, but you will notice the change in your bill. In the 60-70 degree range, dropping one degree can save you 5% on your total heating costs. Lowering the temperature on your water heater is another way to reduce your energy use.

3. Don’t Heat an Empty House

Is your house unoccupied for part of the day? Turning the heater down before you leave makes a huge dent in your unneeded costs. You can also close doors to unused rooms to keep the heat where you need it. 

Going on vacation? You can safely lower the temperature in your house to around 50 degrees. Don’t go much lower or you run the risk of having your pipes freeze — and that’s not the kind of holiday surprise anyone wants to come home to. 

4. Install a Programmable Thermostat

If you like the sound of the last two tips but don’t want to take the extra time each day, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. These helpful devices start around $20-40 and are quick to install.

With a programmable thermostat, you set your furnace to keep the house cooler when you’re asleep or away. In the mornings, the thermostat automatically warms the house up for you. It’s quick, easy, and saves you valuable time and money.

5. Use a Space Heater

Maybe you spend most of the day in one area of your home, like a home office or study. Consider using a space heater to keep this room comfortable without paying to warm the whole house. 

Space heaters come in many varieties, so you should take the time to research what will work best for you. With any space heater, be sure to keep them away from fabric, paper, and other flammable items. When you leave, remember to turn the heater off. 

And if you have cats or dogs, prepare to have your warmth commandeered — space heaters are pet magnets!

6. Love Your Socks and Slippers

Walking barefoot on cold tile is sure to leave you shivering. Bundle your feet in fuzzy socks, bunny slippers, fleece-lined clogs, or other winter footwear of your choice.

7. Take Advantage of Existing Heat Sources

Take advantage of existing heat sources

Using heat you already have around is a cost-effective way to lower your energy bill. Our favorite way to let in free heat is uncovering east-facing windows in the morning. You can also leave the oven open after baking or let steam from a hot shower into the rest of the house. 

8. Seal in Your Heat

It’s also important to make sure you’re not losing the heat you have. Keep windows and doors closed, and consider covering your windows with curtains during nighttime hours. If you want to go the extra mile, check for areas in your windows that may need to be resealed. Every bit helps.

9. Remember Regular HVAC Maintenance 

Your furnace needs to be checked and maintained at least once or twice a year. An HVAC specialist will go through your whole system and tune everything up. The specialist will find any problems before they become serious and can give you advice on getting the most from your heating system. 

Changing your filters regularly is another way to make sure heat travels efficiently. You can do this yourself or make an appointment to have an HVAC expert take care of it for you.

10. Use Fans to Circulate Warm Air

We typically think of fans for cooling off in summer, but they work just as well for circulating warm air. Since heat rises, ceiling fans are an ideal way to keep temperatures comfortable. 

11. Get Everyone on Board 

Talk to your family, roommates, or friends about your quest to have a more energy-efficient winter. You can ask them to close exterior doors quickly, leave the thermostat where it is, or bring a sweater. They might even have more tips for you! 

12. Evaluate Your Progress

Positive results help us feel like our efforts matter. So compare this winter’s heating costs with the ones you started with. You’ll be surprised how much comes from making simple changes!

Don’t worry — you can lower your heating bill and still stay comfortable this winter.

Lower your heating bills

Reducing your heating costs doesn’t mean you have to live in a dark, drafty house like Ebenezer Scrooge. Our energy-efficient tips will save you money without turning you into a popsicle (or a pugsicle). 

Find What Works for You 

Change is a process of trial and error. Don’t be afraid to try something new and experiment to find the best solutions for you and your family. With any change, it’s important to work mindfully and gradually so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Start with one or two of these ideas and you’ll see the benefits in no time!

We at Bountiful HVAC are here to help you stay cozy and enjoy the winter wonderland. We work with residential customers all over Northern Utah. Whether you live in the South Davis County area, Salt Lake County, Ogden, or even Park City– we have a certified technician ready to come to your home.

If you have questions about your furnace or heating bill, or if you’d like to schedule your regular maintenance appointment, give us a call at 801-755-2335, email us at info@bountifulhvac.com, or fill out our contact form to get in touch.