10 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter

Living in South Jersey is idyllic, but winter winds and cold temperatures can make your energy bills surge.

Whether you live on a historic street in Cape May or an Atlantic City suburb, keeping your home cozy doesn’t have to cost more than a weekend getaway at a luxury resort. With rising rates from Atlantic City Electric and South Jersey Gas, every bit of efficiency helps

At Comfort Now by Bob McAllister, we know exactly what it takes to keep your home toasty without the sky-high utility costs. While our temperatures in Egg Harbor Township are often milder than in North Jersey, our salt air and strong ocean winds can make your furnace or heat pump work overtime. Working overtime means consuming more energy and paying higher utility bills.

Here are 10 tips to help you cut your energy consumption and keep more money in your pocket, while staying warm this winter.

#1. Let the Sun Shine In

Even on a cold winter afternoon, the sun’s rays provide passive solar heat that can warm your home without the need to increase your thermostat setting. To take advantage of this free heat source, open your curtains and blinds on south-facing windows during the day and let the sun  warm up your living spaces.

Consider buying thick thermal drapes to insulate your windows. Tightly close your window coverings at sunset to prevent the warmth from escaping overnight

Pro Tip: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says closing even conventional draperies overnight can reduce heat loss in a warm room by up to 10 percent and increase comfort.

#2. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

At Comfort Now by Bob McAllister, we love the practicality of a smart thermostat. It allows you to track energy consumption and control your heat from your smartphone.

You can program the temperature to drop while you are at work or snug in bed. Some models even self-adjust based on whether they sense someone is in the room.

Whether you own a manual, programmable, or smart thermostat, aim for a temperature of 68°F when you are at home and awake. When you are sleeping or away from home, drop the thermostat setting by 7 to 10 degrees.

With a smart thermostat, you can gradually increase the temperature at home using your smartphone thermostat app while you are away. By the time you arrive home, it will be warmed and comfortable.

Pro Tip: A Comfort Now by Bob McAllister professional can help you select the best smart thermostat for your HVAC system, and install and calibrate it.

#3 Check Your Air Filter

This is the simplest DIY task to lower your heating bills, yet it’s one most homeowners overlook.

A dirty, clogged filter makes your furnace or heat pump work twice as hard to move air, which uses more electricity and places unnecessary stress on your system.

With the sand and salt in our air, filters can clog faster than you’d think. If your filter appears gray or clogged, replace it. Check standard, one-inch filters every month and replace them at least every 90 days.

Pro Tip: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on replacing higher-efficiency filters. Some high-efficiency filters can last six months to a year before they require replacement.

#4 Schedule a Tune-Up

The single most effective way to save money is to ensure your system is actually running at peak efficiency.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, maintaining your HVAC system while also adequately air sealing and insulating your home can save you up to 30 percent on your energy bill.

During an annual maintenance visit, we thoroughly clean and examine your HVAC unit, identifying minor issues before they become expensive winter breakdowns.

#5. Use Your Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are not just for summer cooling, but also help redistribute heat in winter. Set your fan to clockwise and run it at low speed to push warm air at the ceiling down to your living space. Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room.

#6. Upgrade Your Fireplace

With its flickering flames, crackling sounds, and radiating warmth, a fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere, but it can exhaust the heated air in your home up the chimney. You can stop your fireplace from wasting heat by upgrading it with fireplace-safe glass doors and a blower to distribute the warmth. Seal cracks in the hearth and keep the damper closed when you aren’t using the fireplace. 

#7. Humidify Dry Air

Dry winter air feels colder than moist air because it holds heat less effectively. By maintaining the correct humidity levels in your home, you can set the thermostat a few degrees lower, saving on energy consumption, and still feel just as warm.

The solution? A DIY method is to set a bowl of water near a radiator or heat vent to add moisture to the air, or purchase a portable humidifier and move it from room to room.

Pro Tip: A better solution? Ask us at Comfort Now by Bob McAllister about installing a whole-home humidifier to balance the humidity level throughout your Egg Harbor Township home.

#8. Unblock Air Vents

Ensure all supply and return vents are clear. If air can’t circulate freely, your system has to run longer cycles to reach the temperature on your thermostat. Move furniture, drapes, rugs, and other obstructions away from vents to improve airflow.

#9. Weatherize Your South Jersey Home

Use caulk or weatherstripping around windows and doors to seal gaps and prevent drafts. If you can see light under the bottom of your front door, you’re losing money. Use a draft stopper or a rolled-up towel at the base of doors leading to unheated areas, such as the garage, outdoors, or attic.

Pro Tip: If you have older windows, a window insulating kit can be a lifesaver to keep the heat in and the cold out.

#10. Upgrade Your Heating System

If your outdated furnace requires frequent repairs and is more than 15 years old, it is time to stop wasting money on inefficiency. You can allow your aging system to hobble along for another winter and hope it lasts through the heating season, or consider replacing it with a high-efficiency model or a heat pump and enjoy enhanced comfort and lower utility bills.

Lower Your Heating Costs in Egg Harbor Township

Keeping heating costs in check is easy if you follow these simple strategies, starting with annual system maintenance. You can count on our professionals at Comfort Now to thoroughly clean and inspect your furnace or heat pump during an annual tune-up. If you need more information about replacing your system, schedule a consultation with us. Call us at 609-277-2848 or request service online.