Written on: January 31, 2022
It’s never fun opening an oil or propane bill during the peak heating months. Central and northern Michigan is not known for its temperate winters. With prices on just about everything going up, homeowners are looking for every opportunity to save money.
For nearly 100 years, Coyne Oil and Propane has helped Michigan families heat their homes, and we know some tried-and-true tips for saving energy, even when the weather is arctic!
Here are five ways to save energy during winter and lower your heating bills in the process.
For an HVAC system to warm your home efficiently, you need to keep heat inside. When you prevent heat from escaping your home, your furnace or boiler cycles less often, using less fuel.
You can start by checking windows and doorframes for drafts and applying weather stripping where you feel cold air. For a more comprehensive inspection, have a professional perform a home energy audit. These services involve precision tools like infrared cameras and blower doors to find air leaks you might have missed.
Certain areas in your home are notorious for allowing heat to escape. These include attics, floors, crawl spaces, and basements. Adding insulation with a high R-value (the measurement for heat flow reduction) to these areas can generate huge savings, even in recently-built, energy-efficient homes. Properly insulating your home can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.
Did you know that you can save 10% on heating costs by dropping the temperature on your thermostat only 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day?
You can save money and time by using a programmable thermostat to make temperature changes based on your schedule. Heating reductions can be set for overnight hours or when you are not home.
A smart thermostat like the Nest is an excellent option if you really want to lower your energy bills. You can control the temperature from your smartphone, and smart thermostats also optimize your energy use by cooling down your home when no one is there.
Performing maintenance on your oil and propane-fired appliances improves their efficiency and catches minor issues before they become costly problems.
You should have your heating system’s air equipment inspected and serviced by a qualified HVAC professional each year before the start of the next heating season. Having an expert tune up your heating equipment can save you money on your energy bill because properly-functioning furnaces and boilers consume less fuel. Also, most appliance warranties require you to arrange annual service to maintain coverage.
When you’re cooped up inside on a cold day, it’s easy to forget that a fantastic source of home heat is right outside your window. Fling open the curtains and take advantage of the sunlight. Letting the light in will brighten your home and warm up the room, so you don’t have to rely on the furnace or boiler as much.
While you’re at it, take an afternoon to trim back any branches that might be obstructing your free light and heat.
Having a home energy partner you can trust is essential to keeping your heating bills low. At Coyne Oil and Propane, we guarantee responsive, dependable, quality fuel delivery and service. Get in touch with us to join our family today!