As we head to colder months, everyone is bracing for uncomfortably low temperatures in Richmond Hill, GA, and the surrounding counties. This time of the year is typically when your utility bill gets more expensive since your heater runs for the better part of the day. You can avoid high heating bills while still maintaining warm and cozy indoor temperatures with these eight tips.

1. Layer Up

The more layers of clothing you wear in the winter, the less heat you need in your home. The amount of clothing you should wear depends on your individual tolerance for cold temperatures. In addition to bundling up, consider wearing clothing that can effectively insulate. Materials, including cotton, have been tested numerous times to be relatively better insulators than polyester and wool. You also should avoid walking barefoot inside the house during the winter months. Wear a pair of cozy socks to keep your feet warm and comfortable.

2. Let Natural Light In

While cold days are often accompanied by gloomy dark clouds, there is still natural heat coming from the sun’s rays that you can take advantage of. If you have curtains and blinds covering your windows, open them up to let sunlight in. You can put the covers back up once it starts getting dark. This provides both privacy and another layer of insulation for your home.

3. Cook Meals at Home

During summertime, you probably avoid cooking meals at home to minimize heat produced from appliances. During colder months, however, you can use your kitchen appliances to further heat up your home. Cook or bake at home to raise temperatures through your stove burner or oven. After you finish baking, leave the oven door slightly open to let the warm air out and into the nearby rooms.

4. Turn Your Thermostat Down

Your thermostat controls your HVAC system, so it makes sense to set your thermostat strategically to minimize the frequency and duration of AC cycles. Adjusting your thermostat can result in significant cost reduction every month. Even a slight 10-degree change in your thermostat setting can lead to 10% annual utility savings. Set your thermostat down during bedtime, before leaving for work, and anytime there is no one home during the day.

5. Seal All Exits

Your home loses heat from slits and gaps in your windows and doors while also letting cool air in. To check if a door or window has a gap that is letting air out, run your hand parallel to the door or window frame gap in question. If you feel cool air seeping in, use a sealant or caulk to fill the gap. You can also place a small rug or carpet next to the door to prevent heat loss.

6. Feng Shui Your Place

Rearranging your furniture can have benefits beyond the obvious refreshing aesthetics. Another benefit of rearranging your furniture is improved airflow. The heat coming in from the vents can circulate freely rather than get blocked by your bulky sofa or drawer. Even better, purge your home of any personal belongings that you no longer use or need.

7. Replace Your Air Filter

For households with a forced-air HVAC unit, there is probably a filter in the furnace that collects common air particles, i.e., pet dander and dust. Over time, your heater’s filter can accumulate dust and debris to the point where it is unable to continue filtering the air passing through it. This affects your heater’s efficiency and thus your heating costs.

8. Get an Energy Audit

Getting a clear picture of how efficiently your heater is working is the first step to improving your heater’s performance and your monthly energy costs. Have a professional HVAC company like Galbreath Air perform the initial assessment and testing needed to get a baseline for your home’s energy consumption and HVAC efficiency. Professionals will already have the tools and equipment to perform an energy audit. In addition to pinpointing the areas of your home where you are losing heat, Galbreath Air can also recommend energy-saving measures that you can put in place.

Final Thoughts

Galbreath Air offers round-the-clock heating and cooling services in the state of Georgia. We’ve been around for several years, helping thousands of households in Richmond Hill, Pooler, Savannah, and surrounding counties maximize their HVAC system’s performance and subsequently lower heating bills. Give us a call today to schedule an in-person appointment with one of our experienced and insured technicians!