Angie's List: Holding Down Heating Bills

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling accounts for about 56 percent of the energy use in a United States home.

The best way to keep your heating system working properly this winter is regular maintenance. According to Angie’s List, as much as 80 percent of emergency calls answered by heating specialists are the result of improper maintenance.

“If you’re trying to stretch your dollars but you don’t have the money to invest in a new heating or cooling system the best bet is to maintain it," says Angie Hicks, the founder of Angie's List. "Have your furnace inspected each fall, also change your furnace filters. A lot of people skip out on that and that really can cut down on the energy efficiency of your furnace so change that once a month.”

Routine maintenance will also help eliminate unnecessary emergency calls, which often end up costing homeowners twice as much as a routine call.

If your heating system has been cranking out the heat for more than 10 years, you might want to consider investing in a new, more efficient heating system. It’s not a low upfront cost, but if you plan on staying put in your home for years to come it will save you money in the long run. In addition, some high efficiency models qualify for tax credits to help cut down those initial costs.

Low Or No Cost Ideas

1.) Dial it down (Cost: $0): You can save as much as 10 percent on heating costs by keeping your thermostat set at 65 degrees at least eight hours a day. A programmable thermostat, which can be found for as little as $20, can take care of the dialing for you. Going down to 65 degrees when you’re away or asleep means you won’t even feel the sacrifice – except in your wallet.

2.) Open them up, close them up (Cost: $0): Keep blinds and curtains open on sunny days and close them at night to better insulate your windows. Don’t block heat registers and air returns with furniture, drapes or rugs.

3.) Seal it up (Cost: About $20): One of the cheapest cost savings is caulking, sealing or weather-stripping drafts. Walk by windows and doors with a lit stick of incense. Drafts will pull the smoke that direction, showing you the drafts.

4.) Swap it out (Cost: About $50/year): Check your furnace air filters every time you pay your gas or electricity bill and change them as needed, generally quarterly if you’re using quality filters. The cleaner the filter, the more efficient the furnace. Not changing the air filter regularly reduces airflow into the home and can create costly obstructions in the unit.

5.) Insulate (Cost varies depending on need and climate): If you can see 2-by-4s in the attic, you need more insulation. The coldest climates may need up to 19 inches of insulation; warmer climates can get by with 15 inches. Check there, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawl spaces. You may qualify for tax credits for your insulation efforts.

6.) Minimize use of ventilation fans (Cost: $0): Ventilation fans in your bathroom and kitchen can suck all the heated air out.

7.) Change the direction of your ceiling fan (Cost: $0): Angie’s List talked to highly-rated HVAC companies who said ceiling fans may or may not help in the winter, it will depend on your ceiling heights and whether the fan is the correct size for the room. For very high ceilings, a fan may help bring that warm air down. If you choose to use your ceiling fan during the winter season, it should spin clockwise at a low speed.