Save Money This Winter with These 3 Energy Conservation Tips

benstaples1 • November 15, 2016

Every year, as the temperatures start to dip, Michigan residents find that their electric and heating bills begin to rise. From adjusted thermostats and electric blankets to space heaters and water heaters, our homes’ amenities are designed to keep us warm, no matter the cost. But, how can you conserve energy and keep those costs down? How can you stay warm without going broke? While a little increase is unavoidable, there are a number of ways that you can ensure that you’re limiting your spending, conserving energy and still maintaining a warm, comfortable home.

Make sure your wood-burning fireplace has an airtight door

Wood-burning fireplaces are a good way to warm your living room, however, you risk losing more heat than you gain if they aren’t installed properly. Make sure that your fireplace has an airtight door to prevent both the escape of warm air and an influx of cold air.

Lower your thermostat’s settings by a few degrees

By gradually lowering your thermostat’s temperature settings by one or two degrees every day, you can easily acclimate to a cooler inside temperature. You might even consider a programmable digital thermostat to make this transition even easier!

Make sure your air vents are clear

If you’re blocking your home’s vents with furniture or drapes, you’re literally throwing your money away. This leads to cold – and hot – spots in your home and unnecessary energy expenditures, as that air needs to be recirculated to bring the room to temperature.

At Metzger’s Heating & Cooling, we offer a wide range of products and services that aim to help you save money, all while keeping your home comfortable. Whether you’re looking to cut your winter energy costs or you’re interested in exploring new heating and cooling options, our experts have the answers that you need! To learn more about the products that we carry, have a look at our website and if you have any questions, we’re always glad to help.

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By benstaples1 May 13, 2022
Fall is a time that homeowners often look forward to because energy costs are low. It’s cool enough that air conditioning isn’t needed and warm enough to avoid turning on the heat. It’s also a great time to prepare heating systems for winter as well as making sure heating systems are run as efficiently as possible. In this post, we will look at five things you can do to prepare your heating system for the cold winter months and hopefully save yourself some money in the process. Inspect your filtersFilters that are covered with dirt and other debris cut down airflow in your heating system. When filters are properly maintained or changed when they get clogged it puts less stress on the heating system. This means that clean filters allow the heating system to work less hard which saved money on energy as well as putting less strain on internal components of the system. Effectively program your thermostatWhen homeowners switch from a standard thermostat to a programmable one that can lower temperatures when they’re not home or when they’re sleeping, they can expect to see up to 15% in savings. Upgrade your equipment If it’s been awhile since you have upgraded for system, ten years or more, consider upgrading to a newer model that is more efficient. Furnaces like Bryant Evolution gas furnace from Metzger’s Heating & Cooling have efficiency of 90%. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan This is one that not many people know about or consider. In the winter you should make sure your ceiling fan is spinning clockwise at a low speed. Heat rises and this method pulls cool air to the top and pushes the warmer air near the ceiling down along the walls to the floor. This method has been proven to save up to 15% on winter heating bills.