Winter is well underway across the U.S., and the cost of heating your home can quickly smoke your budget. We tapped energy expert Phil Van Horne, CEO of Syracuse-based power company BlueRock Energy, for strategies you can use to save on heating.
Resist the temptation to open your windows. “While it may be the first instinct when your apartment heats up, don’t open windows when you feel too warm, it wastes energy and costs more,” says Van Horne. It’s better to lower the thermostat and turn on your ceiling or standing fan to get cool air flowing.
Cover up wall-mounted A/C units. The epic heat wave that left the Northeast unseasonably warm over the holidays also gave renters and homeowners an excuse to put off dealing with their mounted air-conditioning units. All that cold air flowing in from outside can filter through wall units and drive up your heating costs, Van Horne says: “Be sure to cover wall-mounted air conditioners with plastic film or an air-tight cover to reduce air infiltration from the outdoors and keep inside toasty.”
Lower the thermostat at night. You may not need extra heating when you’re snuggled up in bed at night. Van Horne suggests lowering your thermostat by a few degrees at least when you’re sleeping and anytime you’re away for longer than a day. “For every degree you drop the temperature, you’re adding money to your wallet,” he says.
Replace the furnace filter. You should change your furnace filter at least every one to three months to make sure clean air can get through, which makes your unit more efficient. “These are inexpensive and easy to install, but depending on where your mechanical closet is located, you may need to ask your landlord for assistance,” Van Horne adds.
The heavier the shades, the better. Dark, heavy shades in winter can help block heat loss in winter. As an added bonus, they block out unwanted heat in summer and save on air-conditioning costs.
Heat by zone. If you tend to spend most of your time in one room during the day — like a home office or living space – Van Horne suggests using a space heater to keep the main area warm. You can then lower the thermostat for the rest of your home, which means you’re not wasting money heating the entire place when it's not in use.
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