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Energy Usage Myth Busting
Most people in Sydney usually look for ways to save on their energy costs. Heating costs contribute to a significant fraction of the amount that people typically spend every month. One debate that seems not to end is whether it is possible to keep the energy costs low by leaving the heating on low all day. This issue is even more critical in modern times when most people in Sydney are working from the comfort of their homes.
Some argue that it is cheap to leave your heating on low all day, while others do not consider it to be a viable way to save on energy costs. This is the issue that this article focuses on. Simply read on to find out whether it is actually cheaper to have your heating on low all day.
Does Having Heating On Low All Day Save Money?
Those arguing for having their heating on low at all times hold that it usually takes extra energy to warm their homes when the heater is switched off. Generally, when you allow heating on a 24/7 basis, you will use more fuel. This happens because there is heat loss that occurs because of the difference between the temperatures outside your room and the temperature you want to maintain inside the room.
Therefore, if you allow your heating to remain on all day, your system uses energy continuously to maintain the inside temperature. The more heat loss in your home, the more energy you require to maintain the inside temperature. Thus, the cost of leaving your heating on low all day will be higher.
Thus, the argument that it is cheaper to leave heating low all day is a myth because facts do not support it. If you leave your heating on low all day, it means that the system will have to work to maintain the temperature at a certain level. Your home will be using energy the entire day, making it more expensive. It is more costly than setting the heating to come on at set times.
On the other hand, if your room is colder, it takes up a lot of energy to heat the space when you turn the heating on. Therefore, the best option you have is to use a timer. The timer usually allows your heating to turn on and off when you need it most. With the timer, you do not need to worry even if you forget to turn it off. The most critical thing to consider when heating your room efficiently is to work out areas from which heat escapes from your house. If your home has proper insulation, you consume less energy whether you use a timer or have the heating on low all day. This is the case because the lower the heat loss, the less energy you use to maintain the proper temperatures in your home.
If you leave the heating on low all day, it means that your heater will constantly use energy to maintain the temperatures at the required levels. And if your house is poorly insulated, the system will work even harder to maintain the temperatures. An inefficient heating system uses excess energy to operate, and it will add to the energy bill if you allow it to run all day.
Despite these facts, some experts still maintain that if you have the heating system on low all day, you can save some money in the short term, but not in the long term. This happens because turning the heating system on and off regularly means that the system ends up utilising more energy to heat your home from the cold to warm temperatures you need.
Is It Better To Have Your Heating On Low All Day?
The information provided above gives you good insights that answer this question. You will find that it might not save you any money to have the heating on low all day to keep a consistently warm temperature in your space. As you can see, the real solution comes down to insulation. The more heat is lost from your house; the more energy is required to maintain the conducive temperature in your space.
Therefore, it means that if your home is not well insulated, the cost of leaving the heating low all day will be a lot. Based on the above, the best way to save on energy costs is to have the proper insulation in your house. You can insulate the cavity walls, loft, having draught proofed doors and double glazing.
When Away Should You Have Your Heating On Low All Day?
If you want to go out for a holiday during winter or out for an evening, you should decide if you wish to leave the heating on low or turn it off altogether if there is no one in your house. You might be concerned that your pipes may freeze, especially if the weather is freezing. On the other hand, you might want to ensure that your house is warm when you get back.
Regardless of your concerns, it is advisable to leave the heating on, especially during the cold weather conditions even when you are not around. Doing so helps ensure that your pipes do not freeze and ensures that you do not pay for costly repairs. The most important thing is to make sure that you reduce the temperatures when you are not around to around 15 degrees.
How Can You Save On Your Heating Costs?
Now that you have realised that you may not save on heating costs by having your heating on low all day, it is critical to look for other realistic energy-saving methods to heat your home or office. It is not cheap keeping warm during winter. Therefore, it is essential to look for the best ways to save on your heating bills, especially during the cold months, when you use a lot of energy in your home or office.
Below are some of the most effective ways to significantly save on your heating costs:
Seal All Air Leaks
Sealing up all air leaks will help you save a good amount on your energy bills. First, you need to take time to check ceilings, walls, outlets, light fixtures, windows, switches, and outlets for any air that may be escaping from your room. Check for weather stripping, gaps, or holes that may be falling apart. In case you are worried that fixing these leaks might be difficult, it actually isn’t.
You can purchase cheap weather stripping or caulking to seal any leaks that you come across. Doing this can end up saving you almost 20 per cent on your heating bills. If you have issues sealing the leaks, you can request a reliable plumber to help do the job.
Program Your Thermostat
If you make small changes to your thermostat, you may enjoy a great difference in your central heating costs. Programming a thermostat can help you save almost 10 per cent on your heating bills every year. You can do this by lowering your thermostat down from seven to ten degrees for about eight hours a day. If you spend the entire day at work, you can turn off the device.
If you do not want to go through the hassles of turning the thermostat on and off frequently, you can invest in a smart thermostat. You can program a thermostat to make all the desired changes for you. The good thing is that programmable thermostats are affordable.
Allow Light Into Your House
It is possible to keep your room warm by allowing light into your room when it is sunny. You can do this by opening the blinds to allow the sun to warm your space. If your room is already warm, you can cover the windows to ensure that the warmth does not escape to the outside. By doing so, you do not need to turn on your heater because the warmth from the sun may be enough to make your house cosy and comfortable. Note that natural light also makes your home a grand haven to rest and relax in.
Close All Unused Rooms
If you have rooms that you do not use in your home, you can shut the doors to ensure that heat does not escape. You can also close the doors when you leave your rooms. When the doors are shut, the heat remains in the rooms.
When you leave the house, you can also ensure that you leave the doors and windows closed to prevent the warm air from escaping. This helps lower your heating bills because the system does not have to pump out warm air.
Wear Warm Clothing
Another way to save on your heating is by wearing warm clothing. By wearing warmer clothes when you are indoors, you do not have to crank up the heating system. With warm clothing, it also means that you are not at any risk of getting infections related to cold weather, such as colds.
Another way that you can keep yourself warm and avoid cranking up the heating system is by taking your favourite hot drink or beverage when you are indoors. By doing such simple things, you end up saving on a good fraction of your heating bills.
Install Shades and Curtains
It is worth noting that almost 30 per cent of heat loss in your house occurs through the windows. To prevent this loss, you can install shades and curtains. This ensures that the heat is not lost and also keeps the cold air away from your space. You can also have drafty windows to help keep the cold air out and ensure warm air remains inside your house. This ensures you do not have to crank your heating system.
Replace the Filters
Your filters determine the amount you spend on your heating bill. With adequately functioning filters, you can end up saving a lot of money. This is why it is essential to regularly change the filters. Therefore, you need to ensure that you check the instructions given on how often you need to change the filters.
In addition, you should ensure that the filters and ducts are clean to allow them to work efficiently. Your professional plumber can help do the replacement and other maintenance work to ensure that they do not contribute to high heating bills in your home or office in Sydney.
Use Ceiling Fans
Using ceiling fans in your house or office can also help you save on your heating costs. Another trick to apply is to ensure that your ceiling fans are spinning clockwise instead of anticlockwise. This is the setting you need for your fans to cool off your space during the summer months. When you switch the direction your ceiling fan moves to clockwise during winter, it helps move the trapped heat down.
You can also change the settings on the fan itself. The fans feature a small switch at its base. Make sure that you keep the ceiling fan on its lowest setting.
Focus on Your Fireplace
You may think that lighting the fireplace heats your home and saves on heating costs. However, it is fundamental to remember that the heat may only be filling up a single room and not spreading to your whole house. As a result, the fireplace can make the rest of your space colder, which will not help save on your heating bills.
If you want to use your fireplace, first ensure it is clean before starting it up. Even when not being used, the fireplace can still suck a lot of heat because the hot air will escape through the chimney. Therefore, ensure that the damper is closed and install a draft guard to cover the fireplace. This helps keep the hot air inside instead of making it float away.
Use Space Heaters
If you feel cold in your bathroom, you do not have to crank up your heating system. Simply turn on the space heater. It helps to warm your space instead of heating the whole house. You can also turn off your bathroom fan or leave the bathroom door propped open to allow the warm air from the shower to spill out into the space. Opt for gas space heaters in well-ventilated rooms because gas is cheaper than electricity.
Invest in Rugs
If you have a carpeted office or house, you do not have to worry about this option because the carpet already helps insulate your space. On the other hand, if your space is not carpeted, it is good to note that you end up losing a good amount of heat through tiles and floorboards.
Luckily, you can save on your heating bill by putting a rug over your flooring because it helps retain heat. There are cheap rugs in the market that you can install, so you do not have to worry about spending a fortune in the process.
Fix Tin Foil Behind the Radiator
Fixing silver foil behind your radiator is an excellent method to ensure heat is forced into your space through reflection. This ensures that heat does not uselessly get lost in the walls of your house. You also have the choice to buy specialist radiator foil from a local store, which you can stick onto the radiator using wallpaper paste.
Want Help On How To Save On Your Heating Bills?
As mentioned above, your heating bills contribute to a significant fraction of your monthly expenses. As a result, it is crucial to know how to save on your energy costs. Based on facts, having your heating on low all day will not help save on the charges. Luckily, this article has offered you some of the most effective ways to save on your energy bills.
They are straightforward strategies that do not require a lot of skills or knowledge to apply. However, if you still feel that you are spending more on your heating than expected, you can seek help from a professional plumbing and gas company in Sydney. They will check your system and find out why your bills are high. The professionals can also provide other tips that may help you save a lot of money on your heating bills.
