Winter Heating 101: How to Stay Cozy and Save Money
There’s lots you can do to stay toasty without getting a massive heating bill
Wintertime brings good cheer and joy — think festive get-togethers, hot cocoa and plenty of cookies. It also, however, can mean frosty temperatures, frigid winds and high energy bills. To keep your home warm without emptying your wallet, take a closer look at your heating system. We spoke with Matt Orcutt, product specialist at HVAC company Trane Residential, and design and building star Anthony Carrino, a Trane partner, about smart ways to stay cozy while saving energy and dollars all winter long.
Evaluate Your System
Have hot or cold spots in your home (or both)? Unusual spikes in your energy bill, grinding or rattling sounds, a home that never feels quite warm? All could be signs you need to replace your furnace. “If you have an older furnace or heat pump, it could be more cost-effective to replace it with a new, more efficient model,” Orcutt says.
This gives you the chance to tailor the new system exactly to your needs. If you don’t use every room regularly, zoning lets you adjust the temperature by area. Need to keep an in-law unit warm or let your pet run around the garage without frozen whiskers? “A ductless heat pump, or mini-split unit, lends itself well to these situations, because you only need to run one line from outside in, with no ductwork whatsoever,” Carrino says.
Increase Efficiency
“Begin with the insulation,” Carrino says. “It’s the last line of passive temperature control between the outdoors and indoors.” Orcutt recommends replacing worn weatherstrips around windows and doors to block air leaks. Simple tricks such as opening all vents, opening window treatments to let in the sun and cleaning filters will also help you save energy and money, he says.
Look for Energy Star-certified heat pumps or furnaces too. New models have multiple or variable heating stages that reduce temperature swings, “which can help lower your energy bills,” Orcutt says. Or install both a heat pump and furnace that switch between heating sources based on the outdoor temperature. “Dual-fuel systems can be the most effective and efficient way to heat and cool a home,” he says. Check with a local HVAC specialist to see if this approach would work for you.
Keep Indoor Air Clean
When windows are closed against gusts and cold air, and you’re cooking up a feast for friends and family, it’s easy for things to get stuffy. Attach an air filter to your heating system to keep everyone breathing easy. “A whole-home air filter removes up to 99.98 percent of airborne pollutants, including dust, pollen, pet hair, dust mites, mildew, cooking grease and even bacteria,” Orcutt says.
Filters like the one seen here are also washable, “so you aren’t constantly buying filters and adding to landfills,” Carrino says. Other good ways to keep indoor air fresh? “Control dust mites, stay smoke-free, avoid pet dander and close doors and windows,” Orcutt says.
Tailor With Tech
Want lower utility bills? Have a smart thermostat automatically lower the temperature when you’re away, whether for a day with the relatives or a weeklong ski trip. An energy-saving mode can reduce HVAC energy usage by 10 to 20 percent, Orcutt says. Turn on the heat remotely from your smartphone or other personal device on your way home.
You can also program multiple schedules to ensure the right temperature throughout the day. “Being able to reduce your median temperature even by just a few degrees while you’re at work will save you a bunch of money on your monthly utility bill, and you won’t have to sacrifice comfort,” Carrino says. The same goes for when you’re sleeping, Orcutt adds.
Maintain for the Long Term
Keep your system humming along smoothly. “You should have your HVAC system serviced twice a year, before the deep cold of winter and before the heat waves of summer,” Carrino says. “Think of it like going to the doctor for checkups — it’s always cheaper to maintain your health rather than getting sick and needing to get better. Same for the mechanical systems in your home.”
Also, clean or change filters regularly. “A clean filter helps ensure your heating system is not working extra hard to keep you comfortable,” Orcutt says. For the average home without pets, he recommends changing filters every 90 days. With pets, change them every 45 to 60 days, depending on the pets’ number and size.
As for parting tips? “Lots of cozy blankets and snuggles with [my dog] Rossi,” Carrino says, sharing his own winter strategy.
Share your advice: How do you stay cozy all winter long? Tell us in the Comments.
More: To learn more about Trane Residential and the heating systems pictured in this story, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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