There’s no denying it – winter is here! This January has seen an onslaught of below-zero temperatures in Northern Colorado, and beautiful as it may be, these harsh conditions prompt your heating system to work overtime. As the mercury drops, it’s easy to feel the pinch of rising energy costs. Despite winter’s icy grip, there are several steps you can take to ensure your home stays warm without breaking the bank. At Bison Home Service, we’re a leading provider of furnace maintenance and installation services in Northern Colorado and we would like to share these effective ways to save money on your heating bill this winter.
Regular Maintenance and Servicing
The first step in controlling your heating costs is to ensure your heating system is functioning optimally. Regular maintenance and professional servicing not only enhance the lifespan of your furnace, but they can also increase its efficiency, resulting in lower energy consumption. At Bison Home Service, our team of certified professionals provides furnace maintenance services you can count on to prevent minor issues from escalating into costly repairs and skyrocketing bills.
The first step in furnace maintenance is to perform an initial assessment, otherwise known as a furnace check-up. Similar to a check-up at your doctor’s office, a furnace check-up serves as an evaluation of your heating system’s overall health. During this step, a qualified technician will perform an in-depth assessment to determine a heating system’s performance, reliability, and overall condition. The information gathered during this assessment is then used to identify recommended maintenance services that will extend the life of your system and save you money on your energy bill.
Furnace maintenance isn’t usually complicated, but it should be performed consistently. It can involve things such as replacing your furnace filter, cleaning vital parts, and checking for wear and tear so that key components can be replaced before they have a chance to fail. Although furnace maintenance is something that’s easy to put off, it’s important to remember that heat isn’t something you want to be without in the middle of the winter and regularly scheduled maintenance is the best defense against premature breakdowns and costly repairs.
Insulate and Seal Your Home
A poorly insulated home is like a bucket with holes – no matter how much heat you pour in, it keeps leaking out. When your home lacks proper insulation, heat escapes through the walls, roof, windows, and doors. By adding insulation, you create a barrier that traps heat inside, reducing the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature. Similarly, sealing gaps around windows, doors, and other potential entry points helps to prevent cold drafts from entering the home and warm air from escaping.
Improving your home’s insulation and sealing can significantly reduce your heating requirements and, therefore, your energy consumption, leading to substantial savings on your heating bill. Moreover, these improvements can enhance your home’s overall energy efficiency, contributing to long-term cost savings and environmental sustainability.
Utilize Natural Heat
Harness the power of the sun to complement your home’s heating systems. Keep your curtains open during the day to let in sunlight, naturally warming your home. Close them at night to add an extra layer of insulation against the cold windows. Additionally, consider installing energy-efficient windows designed to let in sunlight while blocking out the winter cold. If upgrading your windows isn’t in your budget, installing high-quality, insulated curtains will help to act as a barrier around windows and keep the cold from infiltrating your home.
Replace Outdated Equipment
An old, outdated furnace is often the root cause of steadily increasing energy bills. That’s because older furnaces aren’t as energy efficient as newer systems and they have to work harder to keep your home comfortable and warm. Modern furnaces, on the other hand, are designed for maximum energy efficiency which is why replacing your outdated system could result in substantial savings. Consider a new furnace to be an investment that can pay for itself over time through lower heating bills.
Think your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan? Give us a call or visit our website to learn more about furnace installation and replacement options.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
If you live in an older home, you may use an outdated manual thermostat to control when your furnace turns on and off. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you save money on your heating bills by allowing you to better control your home’s temperature based on your schedule. With this device, you can set your thermostat to automatically decrease the temperature when you’re away from home or asleep, and increase when you’re home and awake. This ensures that your heating system is not working unnecessarily, thereby reducing excessive energy consumption. As a result, you use less energy, and your heating costs are significantly reduced. Moreover, programmable thermostats offer the convenience of not having to manually adjust your thermostat regularly, while ensuring the comfort of a warm home.
If you would like to learn more about programmable thermostats or would like to schedule an appointment for thermostat installation, please contact Bison Home Service.
Save Money and Stay Warm With the Help of Bison Home Service
Maintaining a comfortable home during the chill of winter doesn’t have to come at a high cost. The best way to ensure better performance and longevity of your heating system is through regular, professional maintenance. At Bison Home Service, we can provide you with the expert service you need to keep your heating system running at peak performance. There’s no reason to put it off any longer – let Bison Home Service take a look at your heating system so you can save money and stay comfortable all winter long. For more information or to schedule a service appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
