Winter in Missouri is an ever-changing event. Some days it will be above 50 degrees and then some days will not climb past the teens! Even when the weather is crazy, we are sure to have some very cold days and nights ahead of us. With the dropping temps, it usually means rising heating costs.
Here at A&D Mechanical Services, we have gathered a short list of some cash saving tips to help you through the winter.
Leave Your Thermostat Alone
One of the best ways to conserve energy and save on your heating bill is setting your thermostat just under 70 degrees and leaving it there.
Moving it up or down 5 or more degrees makes your unit work too hard as it tries to keep up. When your unit runs extra hard, then energy costs add up!
If you get too cool at 68-69 degrees, add extra layers of clothing until you feel warmer. Adding a sweater may seem like an inconvenience at the time, but when your heating bill is 10% lower, you’ll be happy you donned that sweater!
Use Generated Heat Wisely
After baking or cooking with your oven and you’ve turned it off, leave the oven door cracked to let that warm air into your kitchen. Though this is a good short-term use of the heat already generated by cooking, it should go without saying that you should never, ever heat your house with your stove or oven.
Use a Space Heater
Sometimes using a space heater is a cheaper and faster way to warm up a particular room. For example, if your bathroom is really chilly in the morning when you are getting ready, try using a space heater to take the chill off. This can be easier and less expensive than turning up the whole house’s heat.
Close Up Unused Rooms
Think about closing the vents to the rooms you don’t “live” in. If you have a guest room or two, closing the vents in those rooms can save 100-300 square feet of heating. That can really add up to big savings!
Seal Windows
Silicone can be your best friend. If you have cracks or crevices around your windows, sealing these with silicone can make a big difference in temperature around these areas. A tube of caulk or silicone is a few dollars and this project can easily be accomplished in a weekend for most homes.
Remember, a few simple steps can help you conserve energy and be much easier on your pocketbook. Just in case the unexpected happens, we provide emergency after hours and holiday service. You can always reach us at 417-866-8257.
