If you want to lower your heating costs during the cold months of the year, you should evaluate your HVAC system. The HVAC is used very often during the winter, especially if there is no other heating source in the home. These electrical systems can use a lot of power and be the source of high energy bills. The following are some things you can do to help keep your bills lower while also keeping your home nice and toasty.

Seal Air Leaks

Leaks that are left unsealed can decrease the temperature in a home. During the coldest part of the year, this can significantly cool your home, forcing the HVAC to work overtime. A simple leak can often be mistaken as a major defect in the entire system, which can result in an unneeded repair. When checking for leaks, look around the ceilings, doorframes, and around the chimney. Also look around the windows, in the doors, and any other opening to the home that may have some damage that led to a leak of exterior air into the home. To seal the leaks, use vinyl caulk to fill in any visible cracks.

Move the Thermostat

If your thermostat is located in a large open room in your home, it could be turning off and on more often than necessary to heat the home. The central location will struggle to remain heated while the other rooms in the house get overly warm. Instead, have your thermostat moved to a smaller room so that you can better regulate the heat in the home and decrease the stress on the HVAC.

Lower The Thermostat At Bedtime

While it may seem counter intuitive, reducing the thermostat at night while you sleep can be a very good way to save. There are less expensive ways to keep warm at night with the use of thermal sheets and electric blankets. This will help keep the heating use lower throughout much of the cold winter months. 

Perform Proper HVAC Maintenance

To keep your ultimate costs low, you should always perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system. Have your technician come evaluate the system before you need to use the system heavily. Not doing so can cause the system to work harder than necessary due to clogged filters, leaking ductwork, and so on.

Paying attention to your home's heating use is a great way to reduce your budget. Be sure your system remains clean and healthy to avoid a loss of heat due to a damaged system this winter.