Even among homes with fuel-based heating, the average winter energy bill in Minnesota can be almost $200. During cold snaps, spikes as high as $300 aren’t unusual. Lowering your energy bills can make a notable difference in your household budget. Let’s explore some of the steps you can take.
Determine Your Ideal Wintertime Temperature
A good plan for lowering your heating bills begins with a target temperature for when you’re home and awake. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a safe temperature for health purposes and strikes a balance between comfort and energy costs. Dress in layered clothing, and remove or add layers as needed. If you prefer a warmer temperature setting, be mindful that every degree will increase your bill. For every degree above 68, the difference in your heating bill can be as much as 3%.
Maintain an Optimal Relative Humidity
If you don’t feel comfortable at 68 degrees, there’s a good chance your relative humidity (RH) is too low. Air is naturally drier during winter, and that’s exacerbated by running a fuel-fired heating system. Health experts recommend an indoor RH of at least 40%. If you can’t achieve that level naturally, there are several options. A bypass humidifier can offset the drying-out effect caused by a furnace. An alternative is an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). An ERV can ventilate your home and add moisture to the air without undermining your heating. Another option is to install a whole-house humidifier. That will let you set the RH for your entire home via your thermostat or a dedicated humidistat.
Schedule Fall Heating Maintenance
A mistake many homeowners make is not scheduling HVAC service until there’s a problem. A proactive approach will lower your energy bills and help prevent breakdowns. Routine maintenance will extend the life of your heating equipment and keep its warranty valid. The best time to schedule is early in the fall, before you need your heating. Still, it’s better to schedule late than not at all. That service will include a multipoint inspection and comprehensive cleaning. Cleaning your furnace’s combustion equipment or your heat pump’s coils can make a big difference in your heating bills.
Schedule Fall Water Heater Maintenance
Water heating can account for as much as 20% of your wintertime energy usage. Replace or upgrade your water heater’s insulation if needed. If you have an electric tank water heater, consider adding a water heater jacket and an insulated base. Schedule maintenance early in the fall before the colder weather arrives. Flushing your tank water heater can lower your water heating costs a lot. Likewise, descaling your tankless water heater can make a notable difference.
Upgrade to High-Efficiency Heating Equipment
Condensing models are available for fuel-burning water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. That feature will lower fuel consumption by 10% or more. An alternative is to upgrade to either a geothermal heat pump or a dual-fuel HVAC system. A geothermal system can maintain 400% or higher efficiency heating and cooling your home year-round. A dual-fuel system can maintain 300% or higher efficiency much of the time. These systems have a primary heat pump that provides the home’s cooling and most of its heating. They also have an auxiliary furnace to maintain high efficiency during freezing temperatures.
Consider Upgrading to an HVAC Zone Control System
Most Minnesota homes have central heating systems. That approach can be wasteful at times, as you unnecessarily heat living areas you’re not using. A zone control system allows you to heat your home on a zone-by-zone basis. You could, for instance, maintain a much cooler temperature downstairs than upstairs overnight. That approach can result in annual energy savings as high as 30%.
Benefit From Automatic Temperature Adjustment
Even without zoning, you can save up to 10% annually through automatic temperature adjustment. Use a programmable or smart thermostat to lower your heating while sleeping or away at work. The DOE recommends targeting at least eight hours of savings a day. Many Minnesota households can save over a 12-to-16-hour period daily.
Opt In for Demand Response
Many local utility providers in Minnesota offer a demand response program. Through this program, they can adjust your thermostat by up to several degrees during peak usage periods. In return, you’ll earn bill credits and other benefits. To participate, you’ll need a compatible smart thermostat and will have to opt into the program. If your provider doesn’t offer this program, consider upgrading to a thermostat with rate awareness. These thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature when energy rates are at their highest.
Save With Your Thermostat’s Vacation Mode
When sleeping or away from home for short periods, you want to avoid big temperature transitions. A big transition uses more energy than maintaining a temperature setting. Typically, target transitions that are less than 5 degrees. When away from home for two days or more, bigger transitions can be worthwhile. You can set the temperature to as low as 55 degrees. Many smart thermostats have a vacation mode that simplifies this process. A smart thermostat with vacation mode can even get the house ready for you before you return.
Take Advantage of Other Smart Thermostat Features
Many smart thermostats have energy monitoring and reporting. You can use that information to learn how to lower your energy bills even more. Other features to consider include machine learning, geofencing, and more advanced occupancy sensing.
Use a Premium HVAC Filter and Replace It Regularly
Choose a filter that’s appropriate for your system. Most modern HVAC systems support up to MERV 13. Using a higher-rated filter will increase pressure and thus your energy bills. Check your filter at least once a month and replace it as needed. Many smart thermostats also provide filter reminders based on how much the system has run.
Clean and Seal Your Ducts
The DOE warns that leaky ducts can lose 20% or more of the heat an HVAC system provides. That can make a significant difference in your household’s carbon footprint and month-to-month heating bills. The Minnesota HVAC industry recommends scheduling a duct camera inspection at least every several years. You can then perform duct maintenance as needed. Professional duct cleaning can eliminate dust before it becomes an airflow obstruction. Aerosol-based duct sealing can reduce leakage to less than 5%. Repairs or even replacement are options if you have more substantial ductwork damage.
Tighten Your Building Envelope
A loose building envelope is a problem with many older houses, and it can lead to big energy losses. Consider scheduling a home energy audit and upgrading based on that information. Updating your home with ENERGY STAR windows and doors can often make a dramatic difference. You can seal your home to prevent unintended natural ventilation. It’s also a good idea to update your insulation and add insulation where needed.
Local Heating Expertise for Anoka and the Surrounding Areas
Since 2004, Liberty Comfort Systems has been a family-owned and -operated HVAC company based in Anoka, MN. We help homeowners maximize their comfort while minimizing their energy costs. Our team specializes in water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, hydronic heating systems, and much more.
To schedule an in-home consultation for home comfort services in Anoka, call today or contact us online.
