Don’t Make This Costly Winter Mistake!
In some households, it happens like clockwork in the winter months. On colder nights, you lower the temperature on the thermostat before hopping into bed. Then, in the morning, you bump the temp back up again to take the chill out of the house.
There’s nothing wrong with this plan—unless you have a heat pump and you’re adjusting the temperature by increments of more than two degrees at a time.
Here’s why: In the winter, your heat pump operates most efficiently in the normal heat setting. But when you push the temperature up or down by three degrees or more, your heat pump shifts from the heat setting to the emergency heat setting and runs in that setting until the set temperature on the thermostat is within two degrees of the current room temperature.
You want to avoid using the emergency heat setting when it’s not necessary because this setting uses much more energy and causes your monthly heating bills to climb. Ouch!
So, when does it make sense for your heat pump to operate in the emergency heat setting? That’s a good question! When the temperatures outside drop below freezing, your heat pump needs to work overtime to keep up and maintain the desired temperature inside of your home. It’s at this time when the emergency heat setting kicks in to help out.
The way to avoid triggering the emergency heat setting unnecessarily is to keep your total adjustment at 2 degrees or make your adjustments in increments of 2 degrees until you reach your desired temperature. Of course, you’ll have to start earlier than right before bedtime if you’re making more than one adjustment.
Here are five more ideas to help you save money on your heating bills:
1. You can save up to 10 percent on your yearly energy bills if you lower the thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for up to eight hours, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
2. If you haven’t done so already, schedule a professional inspection for your heating system. This will allow you to discover whether anything needs to be adjusted or repaired. These inspections are invaluable because they can help you avoid costlier repairs in the future and will help your system operate as efficiently and affordably as possible.
3. Clean your heating system. Fresh air filters and clean air ducts also help keep your system running efficiently and affordably.
4. Eliminate air leaks. Use draft stoppers, caulk, tape and other measures to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from sneaking in through cracks or other openings around doors, windows, pipes, electrical outlets and more.Make sure your home also has adequate insulation, door stripping and window stripping.
5. Cover your windows. You can lose about 30 percent of your home’s heat through your windows, according to the DOE. Thermal curtains or floor-length drapes can help.
So, if you notice your emergency heat setting is operating when it’s not below freezing outside or you’re experiencing any other challenges with your heating system, call Blue Ribbon at 512.866.9161 or contact us through our website.