When the winter months arrive and the temperatures drop, you’ll turn to your home’s heating system for comfort and warmth. But when you pay your energy bill at the end of the month, you may notice your heating costs have gone up. You may be asking: Why is my heating bill so much higher than my typical electric bill?
In the latest blog post from Schebler Heating and Air, we’ll discuss some causes of high heating bills to help you potentially discover why your heating bill is so high. For heating services throughout the Quad Cities, turn to the professionals at Schebler.
Clogged Furnace Filter
How often are you changing your heating system’s filters? It’s recommended that you change your filters every 1-3 months, so if it’s been longer since you swapped your system’s filters, doing so can help you see lower heating costs.
Over time, a furnace’s filter can become clogged with dirt, dust, pet dander, and other contaminants. A clogged furnace filter can lead to high heating bills because your system’s airflow will be restricted. The system will likely need to stay on for longer periods of time in order to properly heat your home, leading to higher heating costs.
Replacing your heating system’s filter is an easy way to increase system efficiency and see lower heating bills. Be sure to do so every 1-3 months to see the best results.
The thermostat’s Temperature is Too High
The higher the temperature on your thermostat is set, the harder your heating system will have to work to reach the set temperature. To lower your heating costs, it’s recommended that you set the temperature as low as your family is comfortable with. Even bumping the temperature down just a few degrees can help you see fairly significant energy savings.
Additionally, investing in a programmable thermostat or smart thermostat can help you see energy savings. With a programmable thermostat, you can have your heating system shut off at times of the day when you’re not home. With a smart thermostat, you can adjust the temperature from virtually anywhere, so you can make any changes as needed.
Leaky Air Ducts
Your furnace or heat pump relies on ductwork to deliver heated air throughout your home. With time, it’s common for ductwork to develop cracks and openings that can lead to air leaks. Any heated air that isn’t reaching your home is costing you money, as your system will need to stay on for longer periods of time in order to recover from the air that was lost.
Duct sealing services can help you patch up any openings to ensure that you’re not losing precious warm air.
Poor Insulation
Homes that are insulated poorly allow cold winter air to enter the home easier than homes with proper insulation. With poor insulation, you might notice that one area of your home feels warm, while another area feels a few degrees cooler. Not only can this lead to high energy bills, but it can also cause decreased comfort.
Heating Unit Inefficiency
As heating systems age, they’ll naturally become less efficient. This means that the system will have to work harder and longer in order to reach the temperature you’ve set on the thermostat.
While this happens to every heating system, regardless of type, make, or model, a drop in inefficiency can be slowed down by providing the system with regular maintenance. Most heating systems, such as a furnace or boiler, should receive maintenance once a year. Heat pumps and ductless mini splits, on the other hand, should receive maintenance twice per year, as they’re relied upon all year long due to their ability to provide both heating and cooling.
Contact Schebler for Heating Services in the Quad Cities
Your home heating system provides warmth and comfort to protect you from the winter weather. When heating issues arise throughout the Quad Cities areas, turn to the experts at Schebler Heating and Air. We’ll fully inspect your system and provide you with the right services to restore comfort and lower heating bills. Contact us today to get started or to learn more about any of the services that we offer.