Written on: October 4, 2021
Fall is in full swing in the Northeast, which means the season’s first heating bill isn’t far behind. If you’re looking for ways to keep that bill as low as possible, Kimlin Energy serving the Hudson Valley in New York state shares five prime ways to do it, with an eye on your budget:
Program Your Thermostat – Proper use of a “set-it-and-forget-it” programmable thermostat can help you save 10 percent on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Aim for a home temperature of 68 degrees for the best balance of comfort and energy efficiency when people are home.
Get the Greenhouse Edge – Leave your curtains and blinds open during the day to absorb the sun’s radiant heat (just make sure to close them at night to keep the heat in).
Weatherize – The average American home leaks the equivalent of an open window’s worth of air through leaks around doors, windows, walls, ceilings, and other cavities. Those air leaks can cost you hundreds of dollars, or about 20 percent of the air you paid to heat, by forcing your furnace or boiler to overwork to keep you comfortable. Caulking and weather sealing are cheap, effective ways to minimize those leaks.
Get Your Equipment Professionally Maintained – Preventive maintenance for your propane- or oil-fired equipment is the key to keeping it operating at peak efficiency month after month, year after year. Schedule your heating maintenance before the cold Hudson Valley nights arrive. Avoid the temptation to skip it! A professional checkup will surely pay off in the long run. For more information, check Kimlin’s services to help keep you safe and warm for the oncoming winter blitz.
Upgrade Your System – Most of today’s high-efficiency home comfort equipment performs significantly better than older units – especially if that heating equipment hasn’t been properly maintained. If you’re replacing a 10-year-old system, your heating bill might drop 25 percent or more – enough to offset the investment in a new unit in only a few years.
So, what are you waiting for? If you have further questions on gearing up for the Arctic blasts heading their way to the Hudson Valley, call the experts at Kimlin today!