Cut Your Winter Heating Bill. A Lot.

Winter is expensive – holiday shopping, property taxes and more. The last thing you need is skyrocketing utility bills. After more than 25 years in the biz, our expert HVAC craftsmen are loaded with tips to keep energy costs down during winter. Here are a few of our favorites. 

Get a humidifier. The more humidity you have in your home, the warmer it feels because humidity allows your body to register a warmer temperature than its actual climate. If you don’t have a humidifier, consider investing in one. You’ll feel more comfortable, stay healthier and reduce your energy costs.

Thermostat control. Turning your thermostat down a degree or two is an oldie but goodie. It will save you more than a couple of bucks over the cooler months, and you’ll barely notice the difference.

Heat pumps are different. If you have a heat pump, the rules of lowering the thermostat at night and raising it during the day don’t apply to you. Keep your heat pump thermostat set at a consistent temperature so that energy usage remains steady. Otherwise, the heat pump works too hard to accommodate the temperature changes, increasing your utility bill.

Insulate. Seal. Caulk. With all those little cracks letting in cold air, you might as well leave the doors open. If you’re not the do-it-yourself type, call us for a reference. We only work with the best, and we can recommend a great, affordable winterizing company.

Change the airflow. Hot air rises. Cold air sinks. In the winter, adjust your dampers to reduce air to the upstairs and increase it downstairs. Reverse it in the summer so more cold air is sent to the upper floor, then it will sink to the lower level.

Ceiling fans. No joke. There is a switch that reverses the fan blade direction. In the winter, set it so that blades rotate counterclockwise. That will push the air up along the walls, circulating heat. In summer, blades should turn clockwise to blow air down.

Replace your furnace. If your furnace has some years on it, maybe it’s time for a high-efficiency model. That’s the ultimate energy saver. Call United Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to see how much a new furnace could save you in the long run.