We all know that the prices of many of the necessities we use every day can be taxing. But there are steps you can take to reduce your energy bill every month, leaving more money in your pocket. The easiest way to reduce your fuel use is by turning down your thermostat. By turning down your thermostat just a degree you will use up to 3% less heating energy. So turning it down 10 degrees while at work or sleeping can net you up to a 10% savings in your heating bill. This will also cause your heater, furnace, or boiler not to work so hard, possibly extending its life and avoiding the need for heating services or heating repair.
Don’t leave the heat cranking even if you just go out for a couple of hours. In most homes, it only takes the heat about 15 minutes to get to a comfortable level, so there is no need to pre-heat your home before you arrive. If you don’t already have one, you may also consider purchasing a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust itself to the correct temperature according to your schedule. Also, many homes have heating zones controlled either from a central spot or possibly multiple thermostats throughout the home. In either case, make sure the zones in your home that you are not using are turned down.
Finally, avoid the extremes, never have your thermostat set all the way up or all the way down. Turning your thermostat too high is wasteful, while turning it all the way down could result in frozen pipes. For comparison, my thermostat is in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s when I need heat, and in the lower 60’s when I don’t. In the end it’s all up to you, experiment to see what levels are most comfortable for you. Lets all have a good winter, and keep our thermostats in check! Find other ways to maximize your energy efficiency by contacting your local heating company.
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