Best Ways To Reduce Your Heating Costs This Winter

As we go through the fall season, there are signs that the winter is right around the corner. When the cold weather feels like it’s starting, most homeowners start thinking about what they can do to prepare for it especially when it concerns home heating costs. Budgeting for this can be tricky especially because home heating costs are so dependent on the weather outside. Fortunately, there are many things that a homeowner can do in order to reduce home heating costs. Another added benefit is that heating oil companies claim that home heating oil prices will be at an all-time low this winter. In the following article by The New York Times, they discuss how homeowners will save this year on their home heating fuel:

Energy Department Predicts Lower Winter Fuel Bills

An even bigger savings will go to homes that rely on heating oil, mostly in the Northeast, with households saving 25 percent. Retail prices are expected to be 15 percent lower, while consumption is expected to be 11 percent lower. The average household could pay roughly $460 less than last winter.

The nearly half of the American households that are heated with natural gas can expect a decline of 10 percent in their gas spending, the agency said.

“If winter temperatures come in as expected by the U.S. government weather forecasters, U.S. consumers will pay less to stay warm this winter no matter what heating fuel they use,” Adam Sieminski, administrator of the Energy Information Administration, said in a statement. To see the full New York Times article, click here.

It seems that not only will it be a milder winter which means that home heating costs will be lower but the fuels that heat our homes will be cheaper. Additionally, there are specific steps that you can take inside of your home that will further reduce your home heating expenses. In the following article titled, “Energy Saving Tips: Lowering your electric bill and staying warm this winter“, by Ruidoso News, they discuss some easy to follow guidelines that will lower your heating expenses this winter:

Energy Saving Tips: Lowering your electric bill and staying warm this winter

There are many low-cost and no-cost ways to properly prepare your home for cold weather, which can help you save on your electric bill and keep you warm.

Small changes can make a big difference:

• Seal off unused rooms by closing doors, return air vents and floor or wall registers.
• Open south-facing window curtains, drapes and blinds during the day to use the sun’s warmth. Close the window coverings at night to keep in the heat.
• Be sure your electric water heater is set no higher than 125 degrees. And, use water-saving showerheads to ensure you use even less heated water.
• Lower your thermostat when you are away from your home or at night when you are sleeping.
• Dress for the season, wear socks and sweaters indoors.
• Use ceiling fans throughout the winter to allow warm air to circulate throughout your home. Reverse the blade direction for the winter setting.

These steps are low to no-cost tips that will make a huge difference on your energy bills this winter. So, besides the fact that heating fuel prices will be significantly reduced this winter, the winter will be milder according to the weather forecasters, and following some easy DIY steps that you can take, it is important to have your heating system maintained to make sure that it is running in optimal shape. If your system is running at its best, then it does not need to work as hard to heat your home. In the following article by Energy.Gov, they discuss how the maintenance of your heating system will reduce your heating costs:

Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips

Maintain Your Heating System

• Schedule service for your heating system.
• Find out what maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating efficiently.
• Furnaces: Replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.
• Find out more about maintaining your furnace or boiler.
• Wood- and Pellet-Burning Heaters: Clean the flue vent regularly and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure that your home is heated efficiently.
• Find other maintenance recommendations for wood- and pellet-burning appliances.

This section was originally found on the “Energy.Gov” website which can be viewed here.

The maintenance of your heating system is another method that you should implement into your winter prep work if you want to reduce heating costs this winter. There are also many easy and low cost DIY steps that you do in your own home that will make a huge difference on your bills as well. Additionally, since fuel companies have predicted an all-time low for home heating fuel prices this winter, you can experience the savings from heating costs this winter.

For any questions on your home heating system, contact SOS XTREME Comfort® or, give us a call at 845-351-4700. We specialize in delivering propane and maintaining propane appliances.