When the winter rolls around, you’re probably prepared for an increase in your heating bills. The cost of heating your home is a major expense in the chillier months, and plumbing-related costs, like running a hot water heater, can also rise due to the cold weather.
And while you may know about the most obvious things that can cause your heating bills to rise – having the thermostat too high, poor insulation, drafty doors and windows, and so on – there are probably quite a few that will stun you if you haven’t thought about it. In this article, Shorty’s Plumbing & Heating Inc. will give you the top 4 most surprising things that can increase your heating bills.
1. Air Leaks (That Aren’t Around Doors And Windows)
Doors and windows are the most obvious culprits that cause air leaks – allowing cold, drafty air inside, and causing your heating bills to rise. But they are far from the only cause of air leaks and drafts. You can find air leaks in just about every room, from sources like:
- Uninsulated electrical outlets and switches
- Cable and phone line entrances
- Dryer vents in walls
- Crawl spaces
- Attics
Depending on the insulation levels in your home, you could save somewhere between 10-30% on your heating bills by finding and eliminating these air leaks with proper insulation, caulking, and weatherstripping.
2. Your Cozy, Wood-Burning Fireplace
Yes, your fireplace can actually cause your energy bills to jump. You’d think that using it in the winter would mean a lower heating bill – but this is not always the case.
A lot of the energy that is created from burning wood escapes right out of your chimney, instead of into your house. However, this is not what causes higher heating bills.
If your chimney is not properly sealed, or it has an open damper, it’s basically just a giant air leak – and it will let drafts and cold air into your home.
To eliminate this issue, you will need to install either a top damper or a throat damper. Both of these devices allow you to close the chimney off from the surrounding air completely when it’s not in use, eliminating air leaks.
3. Excessively Hot Water
Yes, your plumbing could be costing you quite a bit when it comes to your heating and energy bills! Many modern hot water heaters and tankless heaters consist of up to 18% of your home’s energy usage, and in the winter, they have to work harder to heat the same volume of water.
Because of this, you can save money by reducing the heat level of your water. Most water heaters can heat water in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit – but there’s no reason to do so. This is beyond the safe threshold for home use. By dropping the temperature to 120 degrees, you can save quite a bit of money.
For additional savings, you should also consider insulating your pipes and your water heater, to help keep your water hot. This has the additional benefit of combating pipe freezing – which is a serious concern in cold climates.
4. Poor Furnace Maintenance
Not only is furnace maintenance important for keeping you safe and warm in the winter, it can also help maximize the efficiency of your heating unit. Issues like clogged filters, dirty vents and ducts, and worn-out blowers will cause your furnace to consume more power and fuel.
For this reason – and to ensure your furnace doesn’t give out during the middle of a blizzard or cold snap – you should have it serviced at least once per year.
Address These Issues – And Save On Heating Costs!
If you’ve never thought of these potentially-costly heating issues before, then it’s time to take action! Think about how you can address each one of these issues, and maximize your savings on your heating bill this winter.
