6 Home Heating Mistakes That Cause Your Energy Bills to Rise

This is a guest blog from Michelle West, Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing.

In Arizona, people tend to think about their energy bills more frequently during the summer. But you may be surprised to learn that heating an Arizona home during the colder months can account for as much as half of your electricity bill.  

Most of us clocked a fair amount of indoor family time during the holidays, giving our heating systems a thorough spin. You're set if you already have solar in your home; no worries. But if your next energy bill is unexpectedly high, you may commit common heating mistakes. Here are a few avoidable pitfalls that can help you check your winter energy bills. 

1. Not using a programmable thermostat

For all the benefits that a programmable thermostat brings, many people still won’t warm up to the idea of buying one. A programmable thermostat can keep the temperature inside your home consistent. It can also maximize zoned heating. If you invest in this cost-effective device, you can create a schedule that will keep your home warm while you’re there but go easy on energy usage while you’re away.

2. Poor insulation

You pay good money for warm air during winter, but much of that warm air escapes from your home through your roof, floor, windows, walls, and doors because of poor insulation. You better work to improve insulation on the parts of your house that need it, or you will just be letting all that heat you paid for go to waste.

3. Not changing filters

Dirty filters result in poor airflow, which forces your heating system to work harder to keep everyone warm. Naturally, all that extra work means it has to consume more energy, which is then promptly reflected in your utility bill. That is why HVAC unit filters must be replaced every three months.  It saves you money and extends the life of your unit as well.

4. Not dressing warmly indoors

When temperatures drop, you typically depend on your heating system to keep you warm. When it’s not warm enough, you crank up the thermostat. However, if you wear regular clothes the entire time, you can expect to fiddle with the thermostat more because it will always seem cold. You can get warmer without setting the thermostat high. Just dress in layers, wear turtleneck shirts or sweaters, scarves, and hats, and stay warm indoors without the extra energy consumption.

5. Not letting the sunshine in

If you’re habitually keeping your curtains or drapes closed for the entire day, you’re missing out on getting free solar heating inside your home. Let the sunshine in so your heating system won’t have to work hard to keep you and your family warm. Your energy bill will drop, too, when your heater does less work. Fortunately, you can easily rectify all the home heating mistakes listed above.  You need to tweak your HVAC practices a bit.

6. Not going solar

Every Arizona resident has the unique opportunity to turn our most abundant natural resource into free, clean energy. Depending on your budget and goals, a properly designed rooftop solar array can dramatically reduce or even wipe away your monthly electricity bill.

With the 26% ITC decreasing again this year, going solar now will ensure the biggest and fastest return on your solar investment. Submit your information down below to get a free solar quote.