Chilly weather can pose many challenges for homeowners in South Carolina and beyond. Some days can get frosty, jackets are needed for every outdoor excursion — and worst of all, your energy bills take a heavy hit. Cranking up the heat inside your home can make you feel comfortable and warm beyond comparison, but the heating costs you encounter are often an eye-opener.

As heating costs continue to rise, you’re probably wondering if there are ways to save money without sacrificing your family’s comfort. Fortunately, there are! In fact, learning how to save on your heating bills this winter isn’t as difficult a task as you might think.

There’s no better feeling than saving money on your heating bills! Let’s discuss some of the most effective ways to save on heating costs this season.

Replace Your Furnace Filter

The furnace in your home works hard to keep you warm during the cold winter months. It’s only fair that you treat this heating system with the respect and attention it deserves, especially when it comes to keeping up with easy maintenance tasks. One of the easiest and most important is replacing the furnace air filter every 90 days.

Many heating systems have air filters that collect dirt, dust, and debris to prevent these contaminants from entering your home. If the air filter becomes dirty or clogged, it can limit the airflow in your home and lead to many problems, including higher energy bills.

Replacing your furnace filter is one of the best ways to save on heating costs because it can have many other benefits as well. You can improve your heating system’s energy efficiency, preventing the need for repairs and a premature replacement.

A person replacing a dirty furnace air filter.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

When learning how to save on your heating bills this winter, don’t overlook the power that your thermostat can hold. Upgrading your thermostat to a programmable or smart model can make it easier to save energy and lower costs. How? The answer is simple.

With programmable thermostats, you can create a heating schedule that meets your needs. For example, the thermostat will automatically lower to a cooler temperature when you leave for work and rise to a higher temperature when you return home. With smart thermostats, you can control your thermostat setting directly from your phone.

Lowering your thermostat by about seven or ten degrees Fahrenheit during the day when you aren’t home can help you save energy. The same can be said about using less hot water. When you use less hot water, your water heater won’t have to work as hard. The less heat you waste, the more cost-related savings you can reap.

A person adjusting the setting on their smart thermostat from their phone.

Seal Air Leaks

If you’re still searching for ways to save on heating costs, watch out for air leaks. Unsealed windows and doors make it difficult to keep all that comfortable, hot air inside your home during the winter. Fortunately, you can avoid this costly and frustrating heating loss by sealing your windows and doors by yourself or with the help of a professional.

One easy solution is to use weatherstripping on your older windows and doors. Of course, there are various other methods you might want to consider. Find the solution that works best for you!

Adjust Your Ceiling Fans

You might think it’s strange to use your ceiling fans during the winter months, but doing so can actually help you stay warm and lower energy costs. Ceiling fans have two settings; they can either spin clockwise or counterclockwise. When it comes down to it, you’ll want your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.

When the fan spins clockwise, it pushes cool air down, providing you with a comfortable, cool breeze. When the fan spins counterclockwise, it pulls up the cold air and pushes down the warm air, circulating it throughout the room. But make sure your fans are on the lowest setting in the winter! If they spin too fast, you might feel a slight breeze, which defeats the purpose of turning them on in the first place.

Since your ceiling fans can help you feel warmer, you can lower your thermostat’s setting by seven to ten degrees. This way, you can stay comfortable while wasting less energy.

If you want to learn how to save on your heating bills this winter, don’t overlook this tip. It costs nothing to change a ceiling fan’s direction, and there are many potential benefits to doing so!

A man adjusting a ceiling fan.

Schedule Maintenance Services

If you ask a professional HVAC technician for ways to save on heating costs, there’s a good chance they’ll tell you, “Heating system maintenance.” Annual maintenance services are crucial to your heating system’s overall performance and energy efficiency. These services include comprehensive cleanings, tests, and inspections to prevent and address any problems before they can worsen.

When your furnace runs efficiently, it won’t have to work as hard to keep your family warm. This can lead to noticeable energy savings. Although maintenance may seem like an investment, it can end up saving you money in the long run.

If you have questions about HVAC maintenance in Greenville, SC, don’t hesitate to contact our professional team.

A smiling woman on the phone. She's looking at a laptop.

Choose Absolute Climate Control for Your Heating Needs

Now that you know how to save on your heating bills this winter, you might be preparing to put these tips into action. Are you ready to schedule a furnace maintenance service with a professional HVAC technician? Turn to Absolute Climate Control!

We’re proud to offer heating maintenance services to help improve your comfort, lower energy costs, and avoid frustrating malfunctions. If you’ve been searching for one of the best HVAC companies in Greenville, SC, don’t look any further. Our heating and cooling experts are happy to assist you.

Don’t overlook your home’s heating needs. Contact us to schedule a service today!

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