When winter arrives, there’s only one thing that you can be sure of, and that’s your heating bills are going up. The question then becomes what can you do to keep that heating bill from getting too high?

Your heating bill is basically just a summary of all the ways your house has to work to keep heat inside. The more work it has to do, the higher the bill.

But there are things you can do for your home to make it more efficient about retaining that “bubble of heat” inside, and it all has to do with asking four questions and following the tips that answer each one.

1 – How Old Is Your Thermostat?

If your thermostat doesn’t even have a digital display, the answer to this question is “pretty darn old.” And that, in itself, can be a big problem right there. An old thermostat might not seem like such a big issue; it means your furnace is doing just one thing; following the orders of a thermostat that can only react to one temperature setting at any given time.

A new thermostat can be set to different settings at different times of the day, lowering itself when everyone is out, or asleep, then automatically warming the house to a more comfortable temperature when people are going to be active. New thermostats can even be Internet accessible so your phone or tablet can control your house temperature whether you’re in it or not!

2 – How Dry Is Your Air?

Dry air is bad for your skin, which is one reason why so many people get itches and other skin conditions during winter, when the cold temperatures outside suck all the moisture out of the air.

However, moist air is not only good for your skin, it actually holds in more heat than dry air.

That’s one of the reasons why hot, humid days feel even hotter than dryer, hot days. By adding a room-scale or whole-home humidifier to your home, you can enjoy better skin and warmer air without blasting your furnace.

3 – How Can I Fix My Drafts & Cold Spots?

Winterizing your home with retail products can solve some of these problems. If you see gaps or leaks in your walls or basement, a spray on sealant or some other kind of insulating adhesive can block these holes, which may also help to keep rodents out seeking a warm refuge. Buying insulating plastic sheets that you apply over windows creates an extra layer of warm air for your home.

4 – What If I Want Even More?

If you want a more drastic solution, like finally installing new vinyl windows, upgrading to a new, high-efficiency furnace, or getting your entire home ready for a humidifier, get the experts to do the job once and do it right. For these big jobs, always leave it to qualified professionals.

AC Specialists at Korte do it all. We are here to serve all your home heating needs. Contact us today at (260) 493-2596 and let us inspect your home, find out where you can make it more heat efficient, and help you to enjoy a warmer winter and lower heating bill!