Even if you don’t use your heater a whole lot in Southern California, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run it with efficiency in mind. Here are some of our best tips for keeping your heating bill low throughout the winter.
Take Advantage of Sunlight
That’s right, there’s free energy from the sun! Keep your curtains open during the day to bring heat and natural light into your home. The reason more people don’t use this method is simple: it’s easy to forget to close the curtains after the sun goes down.
It may sound inconsequential, but repeatedly sticking to this method can really help keep your home warmer for longer (meaning you won’t have to turn on the heater so early).
Keep the Thermostat’s Temperature Closer to the Outdoor Temperature
The closer your indoor temperature is to that of the outside, the less your heater will have to work. Test your comfort level by dropping the temperature a couple degrees every week. You might be surprised at how easy it is to get comfortable with colder temperatures.
Lower the Temperature at Night
Program your thermostat to start dropping the temperature about an hour before your bedtime. The ideal sleeping temperature for humans lies between 60 and 67 degrees, so it’s not as crazy as it might seem.
Combine that with the 6 to 8 hours you’ll be spending in bed asleep every night and you’ll quickly see the savings roll in.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
That’s right, ceiling fans aren’t just for summer! In summer, they’re designed to spread cooled air around the room to give you a wind-chill effect. In winter, have it run clockwise at a low speed. The fan will break up the heated air that tends to rise toward the ceiling, dispersing it through the room for more even heating.
Install a Whole-House Humidifier
Adding moisture in dry, cold weather will help you feel warmer than you actually are. It can even be enough to let you lower the heat by a couple degrees.
While you could certainly regain some of your comfort by running a portable humidifier, you won’t be able to achieve the same energy-saving effects that you could with a whole-house humidifier. These devices are installed in your existing HVAC system, integrated with your thermostat, and will adjust humidity across the entire home.
Maintenance
Above all, one of the best things you can do for your heater is to have it regularly maintained. If things in your heater aren’t running smoothly for any extended period of time, it will lead to inefficiencies, underperformance, and eventually heating repair in Long Beach, CA. Maintenance is only needed once a year, but don’t be afraid to schedule it in advance.
Change the Air Filter
Several of the most common heater and air conditioner issues are caused by a dirty air filter. The same goes for your efficiency. A filter clogged with dirt and dust restricts airflow to the unit, forcing your heater to use more energy in the heating process. Depending on the quality of your filter, it should be changed every 30 days to three months.