Family spending some quality time in the comfort of their home

In the wintertime, two things tend to stand out to homeowners: staying warm and saving money. At RJ Heating and Air Conditioning, we’re here to make those easier for you—and help you do both at the same time. Our pros are sharing some of the best tips for a lower heating bill this winter. Read them over, then give us a call at 414-463-1140 for service.

Schedule Routine Furnace Maintenance

Our top tip is the simplest: set up furnace maintenance with our experts. We’ll clean and tune every working part inside your system to make sure it runs as efficiently as possible. This service also helps cut down on future repairs, as our team pinpoints and fixes minor issues before they get worse. It’s a simple way to lower your heating bill and have peace of mind about your furnace’s health.

Open Drapes and Blinds During the Day

Though you don’t feel it as much in the winter, the sun can provide your home with some extra heat. Keeping your home’s drapery open during the day lets that warmth in, letting you comfortably turn down the thermostat. Then at night, close them all back up to help that heat stay inside.

Change Ceiling Fan Direction

Did you know that changing the direction that your ceiling fan spins can help boost your furnace’s energy efficiency? It’s true—in the colder months, flip the switch on yours to rotate clockwise. This helps create an updraft in the room, pushing the warm air near the ceiling back down to you. (In the summer, changing the direction to counterclockwise has the opposite effect.)

Replace Your Air Filter

Your furnace air filter is crucial in helping maintain good indoor air quality. These simple, inexpensive parts are designed to catch the dirt, dust, and other airborne contaminants circulating through your ducts. This helps keep your home safe, clean, and pollutant free. But the longer the filter goes without being replaced, the more likely it is to get clogged and block warm air from reaching you. We recommend swapping out standard filters once every one to three months for best results—or, if you have a high-efficiency filter, change it once every six to 12 months.

Seal up Your Doors and Windows

Nearly 25 percent of heating energy can be lost due to drafty doors and windows. That’s why it’s a great idea to seal them up before the cold really sets in—especially in older Milwaukee homes. You may also want to consider sealing your ducts at their joints to prevent heat loss in the ductwork, too.

Cook and Bake More

You can use the heat from your stove and oven to help provide some heat while making dinner. When you’re done and the oven is turned off, leave it cracked open to let the excess heat inside warm your kitchen.

You Can Always Turn to the Experts at Carrier® and RJ Heating

For more than 40 years, our highly skilled team has provided the top heating and cooling service in the Milwaukee area. Whether you’re looking for more electric bill tips or need to schedule an efficient repair, we’ll always put your comfort first.

Call us today for service at 414-463-1140 or contact us online.