How to Save on Your Gas Heating Bill
Back to BlogIn homes in Macon, GA, and across the nation, gas furnaces are the most popular choice for home heating systems. The perks of heating with gas include high efficiency, quiet operation and reliable performance. Nearly 50 percent of American households now use heaters powered by natural gas, and due to the low cost of heating with gas when compared with oil, propane and electricity, that percentage is expected to rise in the coming years. During the cold weather months, however, no one looks forward to the arrival of the monthly gas bill. Read on to explore easy and affordable ways to save money on your heating bill.
Ten Quick and Easy Tips
Take advantage of the following no-cost and low-cost tips to lower your gas bill without draining your bank account:
- Keep Heating Vents Clean and Clear. Vacuum vents regularly and make sure they’re not blocked by furnishings or rugs.
- Run Your Ceiling Fan. Set your fan to spin clockwise during the winter so that the air will force the collected warm air near the ceiling down into your living space.
- Use Window Treatments. Opens blinds and curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow solar radiation to warm interiors. Close them up tightly at night to retain the heat.
- Close Your Fireplace Damper. An open damper can increase your annual heating expenses by as much as 10 percent. Keep it closed when not in use.
- Weather-Strip Drafty Windows. Affordable and easy to apply, foam-backed weather-stripping can put an end to turning up the heater when you feel a draft.
- Use Door Sweeps. A gap as small as one eighth of an inch under a door lets as much air into your home as a 2 1/2-inch hole. Plug up the leaks with inexpensive door sweeps.
- Buy Outlet Gaskets. Cheap and easy-to-install, outlet gaskets prevent cold air from entering your home through electrical outlets in your home’s exterior walls.
- Invest in a Programmable Thermostat. Schedule a programmable thermostat to lower the heat while you’re away, and you can cut your heating bill by 10 percent.
- Change the Furnace Filter. Check your air filter monthly during the winter. A dirty filter forces your furnace to run longer, driving up your gas bill.
- Schedule Furnace Maintenance. A well-maintained furnace can reduce your energy usage by up to 20 percent. Enroll in a preventive maintenance program to help ensure that your gas furnace runs at peak performance.
Know When to Consider a Replacement
If your furnace is reaching the end of its service life or is in need of a major repair, you may save more money over the long term with a high efficiency replacement. The best models come with features that enhance your comfort too. Carrier’s Performance 96 Gas Furnace, for example, boasts a multi-speed blower that generates a gentle flow of even heat throughout your home rather than on-and-off blasts of air. To learn more about your energy-saving options, feel free to contact the HVAC experts at Conditioned Air at any time.