Winter Heating Tips: Staying Warm While Reducing Energy Costs

Winter Heating Tips: Staying Warm While Reducing Energy Costs

As winter temperatures drop, your heating system works harder than any other appliance in your home. The good news? You don’t have to choose between a warm living room and a reasonable energy bill. With a few strategic adjustments and proper system care, you can maintain a high level of comfort while keeping your utility costs under control.

At Mechollage, Inc., we specialize in maximizing home performance. Below is our expert guide to getting your heating system through the winter season comfortably and affordably.

1. Set Your Thermostat Strategically

Maintaining a constant, high temperature is an efficiency killer.

• The “Sweet Spot”
  Keeping your thermostat set around 68°F while you’re home and awake offers an ideal balance between comfort and efficiency.
• The Setback
  Lowering the temperature by 7–10 degrees when you’re sleeping or away can reduce heating costs by up to 10% per year.
• Pro Tip
  A professionally installed smart thermostat can automate these setbacks so you never have to remember to turn the heat down.

2. Schedule Professional ACCA-Standard Maintenance

Annual maintenance isn’t just a “check-up”—it’s a performance optimization.

A professional tune-up ensures:

• Proper airflow
• Clean combustion components
• Reliable system operation

This helps prevent mid-winter breakdowns and ensures your furnace or heat pump operates at its rated AFUE or HSPF efficiency.

3. Use Ceiling Fans in Winter Mode

Most homeowners forget that ceiling fans have a winter mode.

By flipping the small switch on the motor housing so the fan spins clockwise at a low speed, the fan pulls cool air upward and pushes warm air trapped at the ceiling back down into the living space—improving comfort without increasing energy use.

4. Leverage Passive Solar Heat

The sun is a free heater.

• Daytime
  Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to allow natural solar heat to warm your home.
• Nighttime
  Close them as soon as the sun goes down to create an extra layer of insulation. Thermal or insulated curtains provide even greater energy savings.

5. Reduce Heat Loss with an Attic Tent

One of the most significant sources of heat loss in a home is the attic access door. Because it’s essentially a thin piece of wood, it acts as a thermal bridge that allows warm air to escape into the attic.

• What It Is
  An attic tent is a specially designed, insulated cover that creates an airtight seal over attic stairs or scuttle holes.
• Why It Works
  It stops the “stack effect,” where warm air naturally rises and exits through the ceiling.
• The Benefit
  An attic tent can reduce heat transfer through attic access points by up to 90%, keeping hallways warmer and reducing unnecessary furnace run time.

6. Upgrade to a Daikin Fit System

If your heating system is over 12 years old, you may be paying far more for winter comfort than necessary.

One of the most popular upgrades we offer is the Daikin Fit system.

• Inverter Technology
  Unlike traditional systems that run fully on or off, the Daikin Fit uses a variable-speed inverter compressor to deliver a steady, consistent stream of warmth—eliminating cold drafts.
• Side-Discharge Design
  Its compact footprint is ideal for tight spaces and performs better in winter conditions, with reduced risk of snow and ice buildup.
• Quiet & Efficient
  With high HSPF2 ratings, the Daikin Fit delivers excellent efficiency and whisper-quiet performance, even during peak winter demand.

7. Improve Comfort with Proper Humidity

Dry winter air makes your home feel colder by increasing moisture evaporation from your skin.

A whole-home humidifier allows you to feel comfortable at 68°F, whereas a dry home may require 72°F to feel the same level of warmth—saving energy while improving indoor comfort.

8. Seal Other Thermal Leaks

Heating the air is only half the battle—keeping it inside is just as important.

• Weatherstripping
  Check for drafts around doors and windows.
• Duct Sealing
  Leaky ductwork can lose up to 30% of your heated air before it ever reaches your living space.

When to Call the Pros

If you notice:

• Uneven heating
• Banging or unusual noises
• A sudden spike in utility bills

Your system may be signaling a problem. Addressing issues early helps prevent no-heat emergencies during extreme cold.

Schedule Your Winter Service

Is your home winter-ready? At Mechollage, Inc., we offer everything from precision maintenance to high-efficiency system upgrades.

Contact us today to schedule your winter service and enjoy a warm, energy-efficient home all season long.

Engineering winter comfort. Trust the experts at Mechollage.