When winter arrives here in Illinois, homeowners typically brace for the increased energy bills that come with it. Indeed, our state routinely ranks at or near the top of the list for the highest average heating costs. Therefore, anything you can do to reduce your home’s heating needs is worth doing. To help you in that effort, here are 10 effective ways to keep your Illinois home warm in the winter.
1. Have Your Furnace Serviced
If you’re like most people in the region, you likely depend on a gas-fired furnace for heat. However, you may not realize that the average furnace is only around 80% efficient when new. With age and wear and tear, that number can drop significantly. Some estimates indicate that a furnace will lose 5% of its efficiency yearly without maintenance. That makes regular furnace maintenance one of the most cost-effective ways to cut your heating bills. A well-maintained furnace will burn fuel more completely, resulting in better comfort and less waste.
2. Consider a Heating Upgrade
Another way to trim your heating bills is to invest in a more efficient heating system. For example, you might consider switching to a heat pump. Heat pumps are all-electric systems that boast incredibly high energy efficiency. In ideal conditions, they may reach 400% efficiency in heating mode. Additionally, they also serve as an air conditioning system for your home.
If you’re hesitant to switch away from a natural gas furnace, you can upgrade to a high-efficiency model. Some new furnaces achieve up to 98.7% efficiency, which should be a significant upgrade over your existing furnace.
3. Invest in Insulation Upgrades
Investing in insulation upgrades is one of the most effective ways to keep your home warm while conserving energy. It’s also cost-effective since most insulation upgrades are relatively inexpensive. It’s a good idea to start in your home’s attic. In Illinois, attics require insulation with an R-value of 49 or higher. Consider upgrading your attic insulation to an R-value of 60. That would prevent even more thermal losses through your attic and lower your heating costs. Having your attic air-sealed is also a good idea to get the most out of your insulation upgrade.
Another inexpensive insulation upgrade that’s worth doing is insulating electrical outlets along exterior walls. To do it, you only need two things. One is a tube of caulking. Another is insulation inserts for your outlet covers. After removing each outlet cover, seal gaps around the relevant electrical boxes using the caulk. Then, add a foam insulation insert behind each outlet cover before reinstalling it. Doing so will keep cold air from seeping in and adding to your home’s heat demand.
4. Install Weatherstripping
Your home’s doors and windows are another place where heat tends to escape in the winter. Installing weatherstripping can help prevent that. Weatherstripping is insulation that helps your doors and windows form airtight seals when closed. You can install it around the perimeter of every exterior doorframe. You can also install it in the gaps around the edges of your windows. If you have sash windows, you can also use weatherstripping to seal the gap between the sashes.
5. Have Your Ducts Serviced
If your home has a ducted HVAC, the ductwork system may be the Achilles heel of its efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, ducted HVAC systems may suffer ductwork energy losses of up to 30%. Most of that comes from air leaks that waste conditioned air inside your home’s walls. To minimize those losses, having your ductwork inspected and serviced periodically is a good idea. During an inspection, an HVAC technician will look for leaky duct joints and problems with your duct insulation. Fixing those problems will decrease your home heating bills immediately.
6. Use Thermal Curtains
Even the best-insulated windows will allow for some heat loss. However, they can still be a net positive when the sun shines. During the day, solar radiation coming in through windows can help you reduce your demand for heat. To maximize those benefits, you should install and use thermal curtains. They’re curtains made of thick material that works as insulation when closed. To use them effectively, keep them open when the sun shines and closed when it doesn’t. That will maximize your home’s solar heat gains and prevent heat from escaping at night or in overcast weather.
7. Install and Use Ceiling Fans
The fact that heat rises is somewhat inconvenient for home heating. It guarantees that most of your heating system’s produced heat will end up near ceilings. Unfortunately, most people don’t spend much time near their ceilings. If you install ceiling fans, however, you can remedy the problem. Operating ceiling fans in reverse circulates the air in your home to push heat back toward your floors. They can let you turn your thermostat down by a degree or two without feeling colder. Since fans use less energy than your heating system, they can help reduce your energy bills.
8. Optimize Room Layouts
Walking around your home, you may notice that some spots get colder than others. Often, that results from poor airflow, keeping heated air from reaching every corner of your home. Sometimes, blocked vents and large furniture may be the culprits. Start by opening up all of your home’s vents. Then, see if you have furniture that blocks heat from those vents. If you do, try rearranging your rooms to create clear paths for airflow. It will help you feel warmer and reduce the need to turn up your thermostat.
9. Start Eating at Home
If you tend to get frequent takeout dinners, you may be wasting an opportunity for energy savings. Cooking at home as often as possible adds a secondary heat source to keep your home warm. You’ll multiply the effects if you habitually leave your oven ajar after each use.
10. Install a Smart Thermostat
Finally, install a smart thermostat to help lower your heating bills. The average ENERGY STAR thermostat will save you about 8% on your annual HVAC costs. Some smart thermostat manufacturers indicate that their advanced models can save you up to 26%. They use your HVAC system more efficiently through machine learning and automated scheduling. For example, a smart thermostat may determine your schedule based on when you alter your temperature settings. Then, it can preemptively turn down the temperature when it knows you aren’t home. Certain smart thermostats also use your smartphone to determine your location. They don’t have to intuit your whereabouts and can make even more precise settings changes to maximize efficiency.
Your Trusted Local Heating Partner
If you’re looking for efficient heating solutions in West Chicago, IL, Chris Heating & Cooling can help. We offer complete HVAC services, including installation, repair, and maintenance. We sell and install the latest heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, and radiant heating systems. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians can help you maximize your home’s heating efficiency. We’re a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer and offer financing on approved credit for new systems. We also provide 24/7 emergency repair services, so you’ll never get stuck with a broken HVAC for long.
If you need help making your West Chicago home’s heating system as efficient as possible, call Chris Heating & Cooling today!
