How to Save Money on Your Heater Bill this Winter

Save Money on Utility Bills This Winter

Why do we love fall so much? It is the perfect time to break out the scarves, light a fire in the fireplace, and grab a mug of hot pumpkin spice latte. However, what is not so exciting for homeowners? Increased energy bills, of course. When temperatures drop, it’s time to crank up the thermostat to warm up your home.

Your heating system is a crucial component of your home. However, it can easily consume almost half of your average household energy budget during the winter, not to mention the increased environmental emissions. By combining an efficient home heating system with recommended insulation and thermostat settings, you can improve the way your home maintains heat and how you use it, keeping your power bill manageable and your home energy-efficient.

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What Types of Home Heater Systems are the Most Energy-Efficient?

How do you choose the most energy-efficient home heating system? What is the most efficient home heating system in 2021? To answer your questions, here are the four major home heating systems you should know as a homeowner:

Furnace

The furnace is the most common heating system in homes in the US. It works by blowing heated air through air ducts that deliver the warmed-up air to rooms across the house via the ductwork. Since forced air distribution systems use the same blower and ductwork as the air conditioner, they also work during the summer.

Furnace home-heating systems vary wildly in efficiency, as they use either oil, natural gas, propane, or electricity for fuel. Electric furnaces are the most efficient, as nearly 100 percent of the electricity used converts to heat. They also require little maintenance, and they don’t produce any emissions, which is good for the environment.

Heat Pumps

If you seek the most efficient heating system available, you can always rely on the heat pump. Heat pumps are the newest home heating system technology, and they utilize a system that is similar to that of the air conditioner.

So, How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Heat pumps are incredibly efficient because instead of generating heat, they use electricity to transfer heat from a cool location to a warm one, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. Better yet, heat pumps can also cool your home using the same principle, but in reverse.

Heat pumps fall into three main categories: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. They all work the same, the only difference being that they collect heat from the air, water, or ground. If you can afford the installation costs, geothermal heat pumps are the most efficient heating system you can get for your home.

Until recently, heat pumps weren’t efficient in frigid climates, but more advanced air-source heat pumps work considerably well in colder climates.

Active Solar Heating

An active solar heating system operates similarly to a boiler system, but the water gets heated by solar energy rather than natural gas, oil, propane, biodiesel, or electricity. The similarity between active solar heating and boilers lies in the fact that active solar systems also require radiators, a radiant floor, hot water baseboards, or a central forced-air system to distribute heat throughout your home.

Some of the advantages of active solar heating include:

• Pollution-free heating system
• Renewable clean power
• A long-lasting home heating solution as solar panels last over 30 years
• Ability to live grid free
• Reduced monthly bills

While active solar heating is a more modern, environmentally-friendly home heating system, it still relies on traditional heating systems to be 100% efficient. Your home might still require backup heat from a conventional boiler or a standard domestic water heater.

Hybrid Heat System

Have you ever heard about a hybrid heating system? While heat pumps are the most efficient home heating system you can get, a hybrid system might be better suited for your home.

So? What Does a Hybrid Home Heating System Entail?

A hybrid heating system, sometimes called a dual-fuel system, combines a traditional gas or oil boiler or furnace with a renewable heating system such as a heat pump or solar heater. While conventional heating solutions opt for one or the other, hybrid heat systems seek to find a perfect balance between efficiency and comfort. One is cheap, efficient, and reliable in even the coldest weather, while the other is even more efficient but not as reliable in extreme weather.

Why Consider a Dual System Heating System?

The primary purpose of the hybrid heating system is that it lets you reap the benefits of using a highly efficient heat pump. At the same time, you still have the reliability of a gas furnace at your disposal. Also, by using a combination of renewable energy and fossil fuels, there is much less strain on each system, resulting in fewer repairs and replacements.

Before you install or replace your heating system, be sure to start by improving the insulation of your house first. By improving your home’s energy efficiency through insulation, you could qualify for a smaller heating unit, saving you a lot of cash and energy.

What Temperature Should You Keep Your Thermostat Regulated to?

What is the most energy-saving temperature for my thermostat? What should I set my thermostat to in the winter? What are the perfect thermostat settings for my home this winter?

At LIONS HVAC, we get asked these questions a lot by homeowners who are looking for thermostat settings that offer good personal comfort while, at the same time, are cost-efficient.

To save lots of money on your utility bills during the winter, you should set your thermostat settings at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you are at home and adjust the temperature at night or when you leave during the day.

Why 68 Degrees Fahrenheit?

68% is an ideal room temperature for energy savings while you’re awake at home during the winter. You can then regulate your body temperature in the cooler room temperature by adding or subtracting clothing.

Is it Cheaper to Turn the Heater On and Off?

It is about time that we dispel the myth that your home heating system works harder to heat your cold house than it does to maintain a steady temperature.

A crucial thing to note is that heat continuously escapes your home when it’s cold outside, so your furnace is constantly working to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat. Therefore, the less your home heater runs, the lower your power bill. Since your heater will run longer overall when left on all day instead of being shut off, it makes sense to switch off the thermostat when you’re not at home, right?

Yes, but you wouldn’t want to do that.

If you have a typical nine-to-five job, switching off your heater means that you have to come back home to a horrifically cold house. It could then take between three to five hours to warm up your house, at which time you’ll already be going to bed. Also, by turning off your heater for extended periods during the winter, you run the risk of freezing pipes, which could crack and fail when they thaw.

Turn Your Heater Down – Not Off

So, how do you save money while ensuring that your home remains comfortable? Dial your thermostat down, but keep it on.

LIONS HVAC recommends keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re awake at home and then dialing it down 10 to 15 degrees when you’re sleeping or away. You might need a sweater and some extra blankets when sleeping, but the money saved will bring some warmth to your wallet.

What About Pets, Plants, and Infants?

If you have pets, don’t set your temperature below 64 Degrees Fahrenheit. If you have unconventional pets, such as fish, adjust the temperature accordingly, or use a heat lamp.

House plants will do well in temperatures of around 60 Degrees Fahrenheit but try not to go down below 50 Degrees Fahrenheit.

It should take some trial and error for infants, based on your baby’s mood, age, health, etc. However, don’t set your room temperature below 65 degrees Fahrenheit

Programmable Thermostats

Now that we know how to save money by adjusting the thermostat setting, we still have to deal with the bother of arriving home to a chillier room temperature.

Thanks to programmable thermostats, you no longer have to sacrifice a certain level of comfort for the sake of savings. Programmable thermostats allow you complete customization over your home’s cooling and heating system.

With a programmable thermostat, you will be able to schedule a daily heating/cooling schedule, which helps you manage energy costs without compromising on the comfort of your home. So, if it takes an hour to increase your home’s temperature from 55 to 68, program your thermostat to crank up the temperature an hour before you get home.

Smart Thermostats – Are they Worth it?

What could be better than a programmable thermostat? A smart thermostat, of course.

A smart thermostat is essentially a programmable thermostat, but with a couple of beneficial perks. Also known as Wi-Fi thermostats, these smart home devices can connect to your home’s internet connection, allowing you to adjust heating settings from internet-connected devices such as your smartphone or tablet.

Some of the best smart thermostats in 2021 even think for you. They can study your habits and control the temperature in your home automatically, the main aim being to make you more comfortable while using less energy.

How Insulation Can Help Keep the Cost of Your Electricity Bill Down

Did you know that 50 to 70% of your home’s energy consumption comes from heating and cooling?

One of the primary reasons your power bill spikes up during the winter and summer is because your home isn’t well insulated. Sure, your heater works harder and consumes more power during extreme weather. But your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard when you reduce the amount of heat that escapes through your ceiling and walls.

How Exactly Does Insulation Work?

The purpose of insulation is to provide resistance to heat flowing through surfaces such as your walls or ceiling. It reduces the amount of warm air that escapes from your house during the winter and the amount of cool air escaping from your home during the summer. By doing so, your home’s heating and cooling system works less and uses less energy.

Home Insulation Cost Versus Energy Savings

While quality insulation might seem expensive, it might as well be the wisest upgrade you make to your home. A well-insulated house will save you approximately 15% on heating and cooling if you live in California. In colder regions, the savings will increase by up to 20%.

The cost of insulating your home should be in the range of $0.20 to $0.50 per square foot. So, you can do some calculations and see how much money you will save in the long run.

Remember, home insulation doesn’t only save you money while reducing carbon emissions; it makes your home much more comfortable and quieter.

Where Should You Apply Insulation in Your Home?

To ensure that your home is as cost-effective and efficient as possible, you should focus your insulation efforts here:

• Cavity and Solid walls – Roughly a third of all heat lost in an uninsulated house escapes through the walls.
• Floors – Insulate your ground floor to keep the heat inside your home.
• Attics and flat ceilings – You can lose up to 25% of heat through an uninsulated roof
• Draught Proofing – This cost-effective yet straightforward insulation solution aims at sealing any gaps, holes, and cracks from which heat may escape.
• Tanks, pipes, and radiators – You can keep water tanks and pipes warmer for longer by insulating them.

Save Money for Decades with our Home Improvement Solutions

If you would like more help reducing costs on your energy bill this winter, don’t hesitate to get in touch with LIONS Heating and Air Conditioning

We offer residential and commercial heating and cooling services to the residents of San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, Conejo Valley, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Gabriel Valley