Cool News - Heating Costs Predicted to Drop in 2016

Omaha homeowners, get ready to rejoice! There’s good news for homeowners across the country – heating costs are expected to drop compared to the past two winters thanks to the combination of warmer weather and lower fuel prices. This will definitely help you save a few bucks this winter, and we all know every penny saved helps. Getzschman Heating & Cooling outlines everything you need to know about this good news.

Savings That Add Up

Nearly every region of the country is expected to have warmer weather this winter. Here, in the middle of the country, it is expected to be 11% warmer than last year. The fluctuation in seasonal temperatures paired with dropping fuel costs makes for big savings for homeowners this winter.

Your savings will vary depending on what type of fuel you use to heat your home. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Winter Fuels Outlook, average household expenditures for homes breaks down like this:

Homes that use natural gas will total $578 this winter – a savings of about $64 over last winter.

Homes using propane are expected to spend $1,437 this winter – that’s $322 less than last year).

Homes heating with heating oil are expected to spend $1,392 – (a $459 savings). Homes heating with electric heat will spend $930 ($30 less than the previous year).

Individual fuel expenditures are highly dependent on the size and energy efficiency of individual homes and their heating equipment, and thermostat settings.

How to Maximize Savings in Your Heating Bills

Almost every Omaha homeowner should see some savings this winter when their heat bills roll in, but why not make that number even lower? Implement these smart heating practices to see the biggest jump in energy savings this winter. Here’s what we recommend:

Programmable Thermostats – these automatically lower the temperature in your home when you’re away at work or school.
Seal Cracks & Leaks – make sure to seal cracks and leaks in windows or doors. Caulk is a cheap and easy to use.
Close the Flue – make sure the flue to your fireplace is closed when there’s no fire burning to prevent warm air from escaping.
Change Your Furnace Filter – a clean filter helps your furnace run efficiently saving you money on energy bills.
Get a Furnace Tune-Up – this will make your furnace more efficient and prevent breakdowns. If you skipped your fall tune-up, it’s not too late to reap the benefits of a winter tune-up.

If you find high heating bills are a problem this winter despite this new trend, you may have a broken furnace system. If you have this problem, call the heating experts at Getzschman Heating & Cooling today at (402) 554-1110.