It may seem like your home’s energy bill is always on the rise. Your HVAC system must work harder to cool your home as temperatures rise, which raises your bill. As the temperatures plummet outside, your energy bill rises due to heating costs. While this year-round cycle may seem unavoidable, there are several easy and innovative solutions. Read below for more information about heating your home without breaking the bank.
Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heating systems are an innovative and effective way to heat your home. A thin cloth that uses infrared heating to heat the objects in the room is installed under the ceiling or floors in your home. This heat is then transferred to the room’s occupants and alters their temperatures and thermal comfort accordingly. Radiant floor heating is not a new technology, but it has recently seen an increase in popularity in the United States.
Radiant heating systems offer many benefits for homeowners. Their most obvious benefit is their efficiency relative to other heating sources. Since they do not require the ductwork, piping, radiators, or boilers of other systems, there is much less potential for wasted energy. Therefore, radiant heating takes up less space in your home due to the lack of additional components. While it can have a high installation cost, high operating efficiency ensures that the savings on your energy bill offsets the initial cost. They also prevent mold and mildew growth in your home and take up much less room than competitors such as central ducted HVAC systems.
Ductless Mini Splits
To heat your home in a cost-effective manner, maximizing your HVAC system is very important. Ductless mini splits are a great way to heat your home within your financial means. Mini splits consist of an outdoor unit called a compressor or condenser and an indoor air handling unit. The two units are connected by copper refrigerant lines, and there is also a draining component of the outdoor unit.
Ductless mini splits offer a variety of advantages over their counterparts, such as window air conditioners and central HVAC systems. As their name entails, ductless mini splits do not require the extensive ductwork of most central HVAC systems. This simplifies their installation and maintenance processes while it increases their operating efficiency. They also operate as air filters and humidifiers, which increases the air quality in your home. Ductless mini splits also have both heating and cooling capabilities, making them viable HVAC options all year round!
One of the main reasons for the popularity increase of ductless mini splits is their single and multi-zone capabilities. A single-zone system consists of one outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit. This allows you to control the temperature in the room where the indoor unit is physically located. A multi-zone system consists of one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units dispersed throughout your home. This allows you to control the temperature in one room or “zone” without impacting the others. By utilizing a multi-zone system, you can keep certain rooms, such as those you spend the most time in, warmer than others.
Space Heaters
Space heaters are a convenient way to heat your home. However, some older space heaters consume a lot of energy and are not very cost-efficient. Before purchasing, make sure you research to ensure you are choosing an energy-efficient model. There are plenty available on the market that will heat your home and decrease your energy bill. Putting a space heater in your home also allows you to lower the thermostat, which will, in turn, decrease your energy bill. Many space heaters are also on wheels, allowing you to move them from room to room with ease.
Insulate Your Home
Insulation is another cost-effective way to keep your home warm. While insulation is not a direct heat source, it works wonders to keep the heat in your home during the colder months. In short, insulation keeps desired air inside the home and prevents air outside your home from entering.
To determine your insulation needs, you will need to find out certain information about your home, such as where it is already insulated, the type of insulation, the thickness or depth of the insulation, and the R-Value. You could also have a qualified home energy auditor perform an energy assessment to identify which areas of your home need to be sealed. Your attic or top floor is the most important part of your house to insulate since hot air rises naturally. A properly insulated attic goes a long way toward keeping your home warm.
Curtains, Blinds, and Awnings
Window coverings such as curtains, blinds, and awnings are other innovative ways to heat your home on a budget. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, proper window coverings can save you up to 25% on your energy bill. Curtains and blinds can be installed on the interior of your windows, while awnings can be installed outside. However, awnings must be taken down in the winter, as snow can pile up and cause them to collapse. Blinds also keep sunlight and heat out during the summer, so they are beneficial all year round!
Change the Direction on Your Ceiling Fan
You can also change the direction on your ceiling fan to heat your home this summer. Your home probably has several ceiling fans already––but, if it does not, they can be purchased online or at any home improvement store. They are cheap, simple to install, and require very little maintenance. When a fan spins counterclockwise, warm air is forced down and dispersed throughout the room. This can heat your room by itself or enhance the heating power of an already existing HVAC system.
As the temperatures outside plummet and the snow piles up, you want to feel comfortably warm in your own home. With these innovative ways to heat your home, you’ll notice savings on your energy bill immediately!
