With winter in full effect, you’re likely looking for the best way to heat your home efficiently and cost-effectively. Start by avoiding the following common home heating mistakes.

Adjusting Your Thermostat Too High or Too Low

Homeowners often allow their schedules and extreme outdoor temperature changes to dictate their thermostat settings. You turn the thermostat all the way down while you’re away from home and then crank it up when you return.

Unfortunately, these extreme temperature fluctuations make your furnace work much harder than it should and spike your energy bills. Use small adjustments, between 7 and 10 degrees, instead. Maintain a comfortable setting while you’re awake at home and turn the heat down when you go to bed or leave the house. And don’t make the mistake of turning the heat up higher than normal, thinking it will heat your house faster. You’re not making your furnace run “hotter”, just making it run longer.

The most effective way to implement these changes on a consistent basis is with the use of a programmable thermostat. This allows you to set the thermostat for warmer temperatures just before you wake up and prior to returning home, enhancing your comfort. Consider installing a programmable Wi-Fi thermostat for even more control.

Closing Off Vents

Are you closing off the vents and heat registers in rooms that you rarely use? This is a common practice that needs to stop. Your system is designed to heat all areas of your home. It continues to push out the same amount of heated air for your entire house whether all the vents are open or not. But, that pressure pushing up against closed vents can lead to damage and costly air leaks. It also forces your system to work harder and decreases its efficiency. If optimizing your home for different heating and cooling requirements are important, consider a zoned heating and cooling system.