With the fall here, it’s only a matter of time before the temperatures outside begin to drop. As the air gets colder outside, heaters get turned on inside, and the heating bill goes up significantly. If you want to avoid those costly heating bills, here are a few things you can do:

• Go basic with solar energy: Here in Texas, we still get a lot of sunshine during the winter months. On sunny days, open the curtains on windows that face south to let in as much solar heat as possible. This will warm up your room for free. Close the curtains when the sun goes down because windowpanes let out a lot of heat at night. 
• Get cozy: Bring out those bulky sweaters, fuzzy slippers, warm socks and knitted hats. Drink hot tea. Keep warm throw blankets on couches and chairs. Add more rugs to floors. All of these small things will keep you and your house feeling warmer before you have to turn up the thermostat. 
• Purchase a humidifier: Heaters tend to dry out the air in your house. Moist air feels warmer and actually traps heat better than dry air. Houseplants can help add moisture to your home as well.
• Only heat areas that you actually use: Close off basement areas, guest rooms, attics, garages and other rooms that you don’t use regularly. Seal off their vents and direct the heating to the more commonly used rooms. Consider setting the thermostat to 62 degrees and using a space heater in commonly used areas.
• Use ceiling fans to distribute heat: Heat rises to the ceiling. If you set your ceiling fan to low and clockwise, it will push the hot air back down so you can enjoy it longer instead of letting the heat stay accumulated in the ceiling area.
• Lower the temperature at night: When you are sleeping, there is very little need for heat. Purchase a nice, soft, down blanket for the winter, which is great for keeping you warm at night. Keep the thermostat low and enjoy the added benefit of saving on your heating bill, which might also contribute to a better night’s rest.
• Maintain your furnace: It’s easy for a furnace and/or its vents to become blocked. Have your furnaces checked at the beginning of the cold season and replace your furnace filter when it gets dirty. A clean, well-maintained furnace will run more efficiently and in turn lower your energy bills.
• Be sparing in your use of exhaust fans: Exhaust fans don’t just remove excess moisture from your kitchen and bath areas. They also remove the hot air that tends to rise to the top and blow it out of your house. Be sure to turn off the fans right after use, so they don’t suck out all the hot air from your heating system.

Heating bills don’t have to be so high. Make sure to maintain your HVAC system before the start of the cold weather, and enjoy efficient, low-cost heating all winter.

Are you looking for experienced heating and cooling experts in The Woodlands and the surrounding areas? Contact Efficient Climate Control  today to schedule a service call, or visit our website for more information.