Warm and Cozy: 5 Hacks for a Lower Electric Bill in Winter. Even though Lufkin is known for its warm weather, the winter months still require you to rely on your furnace to stay cozy. The average lows of 36 degrees Fahrenheit in January can send your utility bills through the roof.
Changes to your habits and improvements to your home can result in a lower electric bill. They also reduce strain on your HVAC system to make it last longer.
Keep reading for five tips on how to lower your electric bill in winter.
1. Maintain Your HVAC System
Regular HVAC maintenance keeps your system running efficiently and helps catch problems early. Check your filter monthly to see if it’s dirty, clogged, and ready to be changed or cleaned. Most systems need a replacement at least every 90 days with some situations calling for more frequent changes.
Make sure your outdoor unit is free of debris and dirt. Hosing down the external unit can help it work more efficiently.
2. Have a Professional Tune-Up
Schedule a yearly professional tune-up to check for problems and ensure all of the moving parts are lubricated and working well. This maintenance service keeps the system in optimal condition and can help lower your heating costs. Even if you can handle the basic HVAC maintenance, it’s best to leave the mechanical aspects to the pros.
3. Make Home Repairs
Many homes lose heat through a variety of places, including windows, doors, ceilings, and walls. Cracks and gaps in those areas let your heated air escape, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime to reheat the spaces.
Seal and repair the spots that let air escape from your home. Add insulation throughout the home to help lock in the heated air. Replacing an outdated furnace or leaky windows requires a hefty up-front investment, but those repairs can save you significantly on heating costs in the future.
4. Turn Down the Thermostat
Dialing back your thermostat for 8 hours per day by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit saves you up to 10% of your heating and cooling costs each year. Lower your thermostat during the day and add layers of clothing or cover up with blankets to make up for the temperature change.
Install a programmable thermostat to lower nighttime temperature automatically. The ideal sleeping temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees, so this is a good time to drop your thermostat and lower your bills.
5. Embrace Natural Heating
On sunny days, pull open your window coverings to let the natural heat from the sun in your home. When there’s no sunlight coming in the windows, close the curtains to help hold in the heat and block cold air from coming in.
You can make the most of the heat in your home by running your ceiling fans in a clockwise direction on low. This reversed operation helps move the hot air that rises back down to where you are.
Enjoy a Lower Electric Bill This Winter
A lower electric bill in the winter is possible when you make strategic changes. Improving the efficiency of your HVAC system puts less strain on it and uses less energy to keep your bills lower.
Does your HVAC system need maintenance or repairs to keep it running efficiently? We offer exceptional customer service throughout the Livingston, Lufkin, and Nacogdoches areas. Schedule an appointment today to get your HVAC system running in peak condition.
