Can Keeping Your Heating on “Low” Save You Money?

There are no two ways about it — heating is costly, regardless of the type of heating system that you use. You’ve probably had people recommend keeping your heating on “low” to cut your heating costs, but does it work? Read on as local HVAC company Kemnitz Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. takes a look.

What Happens When You Keep Heating on “Low”?

The most common version of this idea is to keep your heating running at all times in its lowest output setting, even when you’re not at home. The logic behind it is that the heating system would consume more fuel or electricity as it raises the house’s temperature to your desired temperatures, as opposed to keeping a low but constant supply of heat.

The problem with this idea is that it forces your heating system to run all the time, bypassing the thermostat. Standard heating systems do not do this — rather, it releases warm air until the rooms reach the target temperature, then stops without shutting down. When the room temperature drops at a certain threshold, it resumes providing heat. Ultimately, keeping your heating system on “low” at all times would consume more fuel or electricity, as well as increase wear and tear that can add unexpected heating repair costs.

How Can You Save Money on Your Heating Bills?

Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you save on your utility bills during the cold months. For most households, the right HVAC settings are enough. Use your programmable thermostat to set different temperatures for your sleeping and waking hours. Turning the heating off when the house is unoccupied will, of course, have a lesser impact on your utility bills compared to running it on “low”.

Air and heat leaks around your home can also impact your heating bills. Buildings lose heat through poorly-insulated walls, drafty windows and leaky air ducts. When this happens, the heating system runs for a longer time to make up for the loss, resulting in higher utility bills. Addressing insulation issues and upgrading to energy-efficient windows can help reduce heat loss, resulting in greater savings.

Our experts at Kemnitz Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. can help identify issues with your HVAC system that may be affecting your utility bills. Give us a call at (949) 453-8500, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We offer Carrier heater repair and other HVAC services to Irvine and the surrounding communities.