February 5, 2025
Heating services in Aurora, CO

Interested in knowing how to save on heating costs without relinquishing an ounce of comfort this season? You’re not alone. Homeowners in the Denver Metro area are no strangers to cold winter weather, many relying on robust heating systems to get them through. In fact, many residents are unaware that the insulation of their homes and the efficiency of their heating systems could be greatly impacting current heating costs.

Don’t spend another night shivering in the Colorado winter. The good news is that with some changes, you can reduce your heating costs and continue to keep your home as a cozy haven of comfort. Use the expert tips below to start your journey of saving money on heating costs.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

When you want to reduce your heating costs while still staying warm, you should consider switching to a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat. These thermostats help you save on heating costs by adjusting to your schedule. So, instead of heating your home when you’re not around, you can program certain temperatures throughout the day. For example, you can set the thermostat to a lower temperature when you’re away and schedule a temperature increase before you return. You can also program certain temperatures for when you’re sleeping.

How much money can I save with a programmable or smart thermostat?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling bills by setting their thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. With a programmable thermostat, scheduling this reduction in temperature is easy.

Won’t the HVAC work harder to warm up a house after the temperature has been lowered?

This is a common misconception. A furnace does not have to work hard to heat a home back up after reducing the temperature to its normal temperature. During the winter, a home will experience a slower heat loss the lower the temperature inside is. So, the longer your home is at a lower temperature, the more energy you save because your house has lost less energy than it would have if the temperature were higher.

Insulate Your Home

Another fix to consider for reducing your heating costs while enjoying a cozy home is to ensure your home is adequately insulated. This means attic insulation and proper window and door weather stripping and sealing. Insulation acts as a barrier to minimize the flow of heat from inside your home to the colder outdoors. Different types of insulation include batt insulation, blown-in insulation, and spray foam insulation. Similarly, check around windows and doors to ensure no gaps or cracks could cause hot air to escape. Use weather stripping to seal these areas, or have Coffman & Company inspect to help you come up with a plan.

How can a lack of insulation affect heating costs?

Insulation plays a critical role in your HVAC’s lifespan, efficiency, and energy consumption. A lack of insulation causes your home to not retain heat effectively, making your heating system work harder to keep your home at a desired temperature. If your home lacks attic insulation, for example, when you heat your home and the hot air rises, it will escape into the cooler attic and through your roof instead of maintaining a steady temperature throughout your home.

Consider Energy-Efficient Window Treatments

When you want to retain heat in the winter and keep your home toasty warm without increasing the heating bill, consider using thermal curtains. Thermal curtains or window coverings can help you seal gaps and prevent any heat loss through uninsulated windows. Ensure the thermal window coverings you choose to fit your windows are sized correctly.

Replace Your Aging Furnace or Heating System

If your heating system is getting up in years and is past its prime, the best choice to reduce heating costs might be to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. While this might sound like it defeats the purpose of saving money, you should consider the long-term savings you’ll enjoy in reduced heating costs. Coffman & Company can help direct you to the most energy-efficient heating systems that perfectly fit your home. You could also upgrade your heating system to include zones where you focus on heating only designated areas of your home while leaving others at a lower temperature. This zoned method of heating allows you to, for example, keep your upstairs bedrooms at a lower temperature for sleeping while ensuring your basement or family room stays comfortable.

Are space heaters a good way to save on heating costs?

Relying on space heaters is inefficient for heating your home and saving on heating bills. Having a space heater in a specific room or just to keep your feet toasty is a quick fix, but overall, using space heaters to heat your home is not an efficient or economical way to stay comfortable. Electric heaters can run up your utility bills and should be used sparingly. Space heaters won’t work well in open floor plans, so if you’re planning on using one, keep in mind that it will be most effective in an enclosed room with your constant supervision.

Schedule a Heating Tune-Up

If you’re interested in keeping your heating costs in check, you should invest in regular HVAC maintenance. This practice, performed annually for an AC tune-up and a heating tune-up, will ensure that your HVAC is running at peak performance. A technician will inspect and lubricate all working parts of your heating and cooling system, help you stay ahead of large repairs, ensure all safety measures are in place, and assist you in planning for future replacement costs.

What are the Benefits of Addressing Your Home’s Heating Efficiency?

You might be wondering what the actual benefits of addressing heating efficiency are. If you’re used to a heating system that only works part-time or is barely holding on, consider the possibility of a future where you take back control of your HVAC. The desired temperature you set the thermostat to is what your home feels like. Your utility bills aren’t skyrocketing or causing stress. Your HVAC system works quietly and seamlessly throughout the seasons.

This could be your reality. By paying attention to heating efficiency with regular maintenance, you’ll enjoy reduced heating bills and lessen the strain on your HVAC system, getting your money’s worth from an HVAC with a longer-than-average lifespan.

Rely on Coffman & Company for Ultimate Home Comfort

If you want to reduce your heating bills and get expert advice on all things heating and cooling, then you need help from the pros at Coffman & Company. Since 1983, we’ve been serving homeowners in the Denver metro area with a special emphasis on customer satisfaction. Whether you need fast heating repair or replacement, heat pump service, or help with indoor air quality, we’re the team you can trust. We also service water heaters and gas piping to ensure your home stays up and running, no matter what.

Are you ready to take control of your heating bills? Find out how Coffman & Company can help you with our comprehensive maintenance plans and HVAC services!

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