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With energy costs continuing to rise, trying to get through the frigid St. Louis winter can put a significant strain on your finances. As a local company with 40+ years of experience, Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts is familiar with the unique challenges that our winters can present to homeowners. We have a range of solutions and tips that can help you save on your energy costs this winter without needing to sacrifice your comfort. By taking some simple steps, you can better manage your utility bills and put your hard-earned money to better use.
Effective Ways To Save Energy During the Winter
When looking to conserve energy over the winter, the two main things to focus on are space heating and water heating. Space heating is almost always the biggest expense, accounting for around 50% of a home’s total energy costs. Water heating is also much more costly than you may think. On average, a water heater is responsible for nearly 20% of a home’s energy expenses. Making sure that your heating system and water heater are in good shape and work efficiently is always the first step to preventing your energy bills from being unnecessarily high. Taking steps to eliminate sources of heat loss and energy waste is also crucial.
Schedule a Heating Tune-Up
Scheduling an annual heating maintenance and tune-up service is one of the best ways to keep your heating costs down. Whether you have a furnace, a boiler, or a heat pump, your heating system will always perform better and work more efficiently if you have a professional service and inspect it before winter arrives.
Regular maintenance can improve heating efficiency by up to 30%, as it helps to overcome issues that lead to poor performance and energy waste. Along with scheduling a professional tune-up, you also need to make sure to change your heating system’s air filter regularly throughout the winter. Most air filters are rated to last for 90 days. However, filters can clog more quickly in certain circumstances, meaning you may be better off switching to a new filter every month or two.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Switching from a standard thermostat to a Wi-Fi smart thermostat is an investment that pays off. Studies show that quality smart thermostats reduce how much a heating system runs by around 10% on average. The fact that a smart thermostat will also lower your air conditioning bills by around the same amount means that it should pay for itself within a few years at the most.
Smart thermostats have various features that allow them to optimize the temperature settings to ensure the HVAC system works as efficiently as possible without noticeably impacting home comfort. Most units also provide suggestions through the app on changes you can make to your thermostat settings to further reduce how much your heating system runs.
Have Your Air Ducts Sealed
Leaky air ducts are an issue that affects a huge number of homes. Duct leaks are a major waste of energy, as they result in much of the hot air the heating system produces escaping into areas like the attic or crawl space. In some cases, leaky ductwork can result in your heating costs being 20-30% higher. If you haven’t had your ducts resealed within the past 10 years or so, it’s well worth investing in professional air duct sealing. When you schedule your annual tune-up, an experienced technician can also inspect and test for duct leaks.
Reinsulate Your Attic
Many homes in our area, especially those that are older, have issues with their attic not being sufficiently insulated. What many people don’t realize is that some types of insulation only last for around 20 to 30 years before they no longer work as effectively as they need to. An insufficiently insulated attic contributes to significantly higher heating costs, as it results in a huge amount of heat escaping into the attic and getting lost. According to the US Department of Energy, insulating and sealing your attic can lower your heating (and cooling) costs by around 15-20%.
Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
If you currently have a standard tank water heater, switching to a tankless unit can provide significant energy savings throughout the year. Tankless water heaters produce hot water on demand. This eliminates the additional energy needed to constantly keep a large volume of water fully hot. Traditional water heaters continually lose heat through the tank, resulting in them having to run occasionally even when no hot water has been used recently. This “standby heat loss” issue can be especially pronounced for electric units and cheaper models with a poorly insulated tank. By switching to a tankless water heater, most homeowners will lower their water heating costs by somewhere between 10% and 35%.
Invest in Insulated Window Coverings
Windows are major contributors to heat loss during the winter. What happens is that cold continually radiates off the glass and cools the air in the surrounding area. That means the heating system then needs to run more frequently to keep the house fully warm. When you’re anywhere near windows, the space can feel so cold that you end up turning your heating up to help you stay warm.
One easy way to avoid these issues is to invest in quality insulated drapes or honeycomb blinds, both of which work effectively to trap heat in and keep cold out. That said, you may want to keep some south- and west-facing windows uncovered in the afternoon so that you take advantage of the natural heat from the sun.
Seal Air Leaks Around Windows & Exterior Doors
Poorly sealed windows and exterior doors are another issue that plagues many homes. Cold air constantly seeping inside around some of your window and door frames can significantly increase the amount of work your heating system has to do. Checking for air leaks and sealing all of them up is a simple and effective way to lessen your heating system’s workload and save energy.
To check for leaks, all you need to do is use your hand to see if you can feel cold air. If you find any leaks around a frame, you should remove the old caulk or sealant and then apply a new bead of caulk. You should also check that the weather stripping is still intact and replace any that is cracked or missing.
Reliable HVAC and Plumbing Solutions in St. Louis
At Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts, our family-owned company was founded with the mission of helping our friends and neighbors in St. Louis save on their heating and cooling bills. We offer professional energy assessments that can identify any sources of energy waste, and we can deliver tailored services to overcome any issues. Whether you’re in need of heating maintenance, duct sealing, smart thermostat installation, tankless water heater installation, or attic insulation, we have the energy-saving solutions you’re looking for.
To schedule a service call with our team in the St. Louis area, contact us today.
