5 Ways Michiganders Can Lower Heating Bills

Rising fuel costs and plunging temperatures can take a huge bite out of your home heating budget in Southeast Michigan. 

At Great Dane Heating Cooling Electrical Plumbing, we understand how crucial it is to keep your home warm this winter without breaking the bank, and we are here to help!

Whether you need heat pump repairs, furnace maintenance, or radiant floor heat installation, Great Dane offers the best in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services in Clinton Township, and surrounding Macomb and Oakland communities. 

How High Will Heating Costs Go in Michigan?

We all want affordable heating solutions that offset rate increases while providing comfort during Michigan’s harsh winters. The good news about utility rates this year is that Consumers Energy’s natural gas prices are expected to rise slightly but not spike.

Meanwhile, DTE has proposed a 10 percent increase in electricity rates for 2025. 

What Affects My Heating Costs?

Besides utility rates, how much energy you use to heat your home determines how much you spend on heating.  You might want to prepare to bundle up: the Farmers’ Almanac predicts a cold, wet, and snowy winter for Michiganders in 2024-25.

Regardless of the outdoor temperature, if your heating system is old, inefficient, and on its last legs, it will consume more energy to keep up with your heating needs. New, high-efficiency models, like Carrier’s Infinity® 98 Gas Furnace with Greenspeed® Intelligence, convert nearly all the fuel it consumes into heat for your home. That translates into significant savings on your heating bills. 

Financial Incentives for New HVAC

Replacing your aging HVAC equipment may be more affordable now than ever before, thanks to a 30 percent federal tax credit available through 2032.

You can get up to a $600 credit for qualified furnaces and boilers and up to a $2,000 credit for a heat pump. Install a new high-efficiency heating system this year, and you can lower your 2024 taxes with a credit. Our financial team at Great Dane can share all the details!

Federal electrification rebates for heat pumps and other electric appliances are tentatively scheduled to go statewide in Michigan in January 2025.

One rebate program reduces the price of the heat pump you buy. The other is based on how much energy your new heat pump saves after installation. You cannot combine the two programs for the same electrification project, but you can get a rebate from one program and a tax credit. 

How Do I Lower Heating Costs?

Replacing your outdated heating system can significantly reduce your heating bills, but there are other ways to save without investing in new HVAC equipment.

Here are ideas from our Great Dane HVAC team for lowering winter heating costs. Implement these five tips now and enjoy a comfortable, warm winter!

1. Preventative Maintenance

Amaintained furnace, boiler, or heat pump operates more efficiently than a neglected one. An efficient HVAC system uses less energy, saving you money. An annual fall tune-up can pinpoint and fix performance and safety problems, stopping them from worsening.

Our technicians inspect, clean, and make any necessary repairs during a maintenance call. Schedule a checkup for your heating system today!

1. Program Your Thermostat

The beauty of a programmable or smart thermostat is the ability to set temperature changes in advance. Your thermostat will respond automatically without you manually changing it.

For example, if you plan to be away from home on weekday afternoons, you can program the thermostat to dial the heat back a few degrees while you are gone and then raise it a few minutes before your expected return.

You can tell the thermostat in advance to lower the temperature at night while you are in bed and raise it just in time for your morning coffee. 

Some smart thermostats learn to change the temperature automatically based on home occupancy, your heating preferences, and other data. Thermostats that operate with Wi-Fi offer the convenience of remote control through an app downloaded to your smartphone. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says you can save money in the winter by setting your daytime temperature from 68° F to 70° F and lowering it when you are asleep or away from home.You can easily save energy, asleep or away from home.

3. Upgrade Your Windows

Consider upgrading old, single-pane windows to double-pane or triple-pane. With energy-efficient windows, you will feel warmer in a home and spend less on heating.

Use drapes and blinds strategically on windows to help warm and retain warmth in your Clinton Township, home. Keep them open on south-facing windows when the sun shines. Close them at night to keep warmth in and cold out. Install thermal curtains to reduce drafts and heat loss. 

4. Seal Cracks and Insulate

Caulk around doors and windows to eliminate gaps that allow cold air to seep into your home. Consider an energy audit to pinpoint areas that need more insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving improvements.

A professional Great Dane HVAC installer can explain where to insulate and how much insulation you need. 

5. Change Your Air Filter

Start the heating season with a clean air filter. Inspect it monthly and replace it when it is dirty. Follow the instructions in your system’s manual for replacement.

A clogged, dirty air filter restricts airflow to your HVAC unit, causing it to work harder and consume more energy, which costs you more money in increased heating costs. Refrain from obstructing supply and return air vents with furniture or other items. 

Count on Great Dane 

At Great Dane Heating Cooling Electrical Plumbing, we provide heating and cooling solutions for homeowners in Clinton Township, and neighboring communities year-round. Ask us about high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps that can help you reduce heating costs this winter. Call us at 586-262-6789 or request service online.