Living in McHenry County, Lake County & Northwest Cook County, IL, with our long, cold winters, keeping a warm and comfortable home is an expensive challenge, often adding up to more than 40% of the utility bill. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your heating system and reduce expenses. Family Owned and Operated Since 1946, V. M. O'Leary Sheet Metal & Heating has compiled a list of helpful ways to save on your heating costs.
Save Money On Your Heating Bill
- Ceiling fans – Make sure the blades turn clockwise so that warm air that’s trapped up near the ceiling travels down and around the room.
- Close windows & doors – Check to make sure all exterior doors and windows are closed and sealed tightly to prevent heat loss.
- Close off unused rooms – Shut the door to those extra rooms you don’t use and consider closing the heating vents. Just don’t let the temperature fall below 40 degrees so water pipes aren’t at risk of freezing.
- Dress warm – Bundle up or curl up under a blanket to stay warm without cranking up the heat.
- Duct sealing – Ductwork is often a major source of energy losses due to holes and leaks at the seams
- Energy Audit – An energy audit pinpoints areas where you’re sacrificing heat and provides strategies to reduce energy bills.
- Filter changes – Cleaning or replacing dirty filters allows the heating system to work at peak efficiency.
- Humidify – Ask V. M. O'Leary Sheet Metal & Heating about the installation of a whole-house humidifier to introduce essential moisture and allow lower thermostat settings without sacrificing comfort.
- Insulate – Adding insulation to the walls, ceilings and the attic can help to trim your heating costs each month by reducing heat loss.
- Lower the thermostat – Even lowering the thermostat a couple of degrees saves on heating. Consider making adjustments before bedtime or before leaving the house in the morning.
- Move furniture – Rearrange furniture away from vents so the heat can flow freely.
- Replace your heating system – Depending on the age of your heater, replacing it with a high-efficiency model often pays for itself in significantly lower energy costs and warranty coverage. V. M. O'Leary Sheet Metal & Heating offers competitive pricing and free estimates on new/replacement equipment.
- Schedule heating system service – V. M. O'Leary Sheet Metal & Heating offers planned service agreements to optimize heating system efficiency and reliability.
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat – Automatically adjusting temperature based on your schedule and preferences, a smart thermostat works to conserve energy.
- Use the oven – Baking or cooking warms up the kitchen through heat from the stove.
- Welcome in the sun – Open up the shades, blinds or curtains on sunny days to benefit from the heat of the sun. Close them at night to insulate against the cold glass of the windows.
