Helpful Ways to Stay Warm this Winter Without Breaking the Bank
By: Bejoy Joseph
Updated: January 3, 2013
WHAG - While many folks say they are trying to pay off their holiday debt this winter, they're also thinking of ways to save on their heating bills.
And for some, their only option leaves them under a whole lot of blankets, or wearing extra clothing. However, there are some steps you can take to stay warm while saving some dough.
Experts say not to cover your heat pump outside and make sure your furnace is properly tuned every year.
"By having the burners clean, the proper amount of gas going through the unit and you are getting the proper air flow through it. If you maintain it where it runs at peak efficiency, you can be saving a lot of money," says Bill Goul, of Airtron Mid-Atlantic.
They also say changing the filters in your furnace could save you up to 30 percent.
"The more plug that filter gets, one of the things that can happen to is, it can restrict the air flow going through the system causing the furnace to burn more energy trying to heat the home," says Goul.
Experts say you should set your thermostats down six degrees when you're not in your house. They say having a humidifier turned on in your living room will also help you save.
"Just as in the summer time, when you hear that it's 85 degrees out and you have relative humidity of 70 percent, the temperature actually feels 90 to you, the humidifier does the same thing, it adds more warmth and comfort to the home," says Goul.
Click here for more energy savings tips.
And for some, their only option leaves them under a whole lot of blankets, or wearing extra clothing. However, there are some steps you can take to stay warm while saving some dough.
Experts say not to cover your heat pump outside and make sure your furnace is properly tuned every year.
"By having the burners clean, the proper amount of gas going through the unit and you are getting the proper air flow through it. If you maintain it where it runs at peak efficiency, you can be saving a lot of money," says Bill Goul, of Airtron Mid-Atlantic.
They also say changing the filters in your furnace could save you up to 30 percent.
"The more plug that filter gets, one of the things that can happen to is, it can restrict the air flow going through the system causing the furnace to burn more energy trying to heat the home," says Goul.
Experts say you should set your thermostats down six degrees when you're not in your house. They say having a humidifier turned on in your living room will also help you save.
"Just as in the summer time, when you hear that it's 85 degrees out and you have relative humidity of 70 percent, the temperature actually feels 90 to you, the humidifier does the same thing, it adds more warmth and comfort to the home," says Goul.
Click here for more energy savings tips.
