We live in a state where winter is never “mild.” Temperatures drop fast. Wind chills push below zero. And older Iowa homes often come with drafts, cold spots, and insulation issues that force the furnace to work harder than it should.

Heating bills usually rise because of three main factors:

1. The furnace is working overtime.
Cold air leaks, poor airflow, and aging parts cause longer run times.

2. Your home is losing heat faster than your furnace can produce it.
Insulation gaps and leaking ducts dump warm air outside.

3. The system is not running as efficiently as it could.
Dirty filters, skipped maintenance, and old equipment all add up on your bill.

A big part of lowering your heating bill is simply removing the obstacles that make your furnace struggle.

Need help lowering your heating bill? Call Anthem any time of the day: Contact us. Want year-round care? Ask about our maintenance plans when you call.

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10 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter

1. Check Your Furnace Filter First

If you want to lower your heating bill fast, start with your furnace filter. A dirty filter is one of the most common reasons energy costs rise in the winter.

When your filter is clogged, the furnace has to push harder to move air through your home. That extra work leads to:

• Higher energy use

• Longer run times

• Uneven heating

• Shortened system lifespan

How often to replace your filter:
Most Iowa homeowners should replace theirs every 1 to 3 months. Homes with pets or allergies may need more frequent changes.

If your filter looks gray, fuzzy, or clogged, it’s time for a new one.

Tip: If you don’t know where your filter is or what size you need, our techs can help during a tune-up. Schedule here.

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2. Use Your Thermostat the Right Way

Your thermostat settings play a huge role in lowering your heating bill. Small adjustments can save a noticeable amount month after month.

Here’s what most homeowners get wrong:

They adjust the temperature too often.
Frequent on-and-off swings force your furnace to run unnecessarily.

They turn the heat way down during the day.
Extreme setbacks don’t lower bills—they make the furnace work harder when you return home.

Recommended Iowa winter thermostat settings:

• At home: 68–70°F

• Sleeping: 65°F

• Away from home: 62–65°F

These settings balance comfort with savings.

If you want the most control, consider a smart thermostat. It learns your habits and makes small adjustments automatically. That alone can lower heating bills in many Iowa homes.

Need help installing a smart thermostat? Contact Anthem Heating & Cooling today.

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3. Schedule a Fall Furnace Tune-Up Before the First Cold Snap

A furnace tune-up is one of the most effective ways to lower your heating bill.

Here’s what a tune-up can catch early:

• Dirty burners that waste fuel

• Weak airflow from dust buildup

• Loose wires that cause short cycling

• Failing sensors that make your furnace run nonstop

• Small cracks in the heat exchanger

Heat pumps and furnaces are similar, both need maintenance to operate efficiently. When neglected, their energy use jumps dramatically.

A fall tune-up gives your system time to be cleaned, adjusted, and optimized before winter hits. It’s the HVAC version of rotating your tires before a long trip.

Give us a call to learn about tune-ups: 515-249-2581 (Bondurant) or 641-485-1998 (Grinnell). We proudly serve Bondurant, Grinnell, Ankeny, and across Central Iowa.

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4. Fix Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

If one room is freezing while another feels too warm, your furnace is working harder than necessary. Uneven heating typically means the air isn’t moving correctly through the house.

Common causes of hot and cold spots include:

• Blocked vents

• Leaking or uninsulated ductwork

• Poorly balanced airflow

• Oversized or undersized heating systems

Warm air that doesn’t move evenly forces the furnace to run more frequently to compensate.

Tip:
If you have persistent cold rooms, consider adding a mini split system to reduce furnace load. It’s a great option for:

• Upstairs bedrooms

• Finished basements

• Home offices

• Additions and sunrooms

Learn more about mini-splits here.

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5. Seal Air Leaks and Improve Insulation

A significant amount of heat loss in Iowa homes doesn’t come from the furnace. It comes from the house itself.

Your home loses heat through:

• Drafty windows

• Gaps around doors

• Attic access panels

• Rim joists

• Uninsulated attics or crawl spaces

The Department of Energy reports that homeowners can save up to 20% on heating costs by sealing leaks and improving insulation.

Where to start:

• Use weatherstripping around doors.

• Add foam sealant around window frames.

• Install additional attic insulation if needed.

• Seal basement sill plates and rim joists.

These small updates keep the warm air inside, where it belongs.

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6. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Most ceiling fans have a small switch that changes the blade direction. In winter, set your fan to spin clockwise at a low speed.

This moves warm air (which naturally rises) back down into your living space.

It reduces how long your furnace has to run to keep the room comfortable.

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7. Keep Vents, Returns, and Furnace Rooms Clear

Airflow is essential for furnace efficiency. Anything blocking your vents or return air grilles will increase heating costs.

Avoid blocking vents with:

• Rugs

• Couches

• Bookshelves

• Decorative furniture

Also keep storage containers away from your furnace. The furnace needs space around it to operate efficiently and safely.

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8. Upgrade an Older System Before It Costs You More

Most furnaces last 15–20 years. If yours is approaching the end of that range, it may be costing you more in energy than you realize.

Older systems lose efficiency every year. That means higher bills, even if the furnace still “works.”

Signs it’s time to consider replacing your furnace:

• Rising bills year after year

• Loud or unusual noises

• Frequent repairs

• Uneven heating

• Yellow burner flame

• Increasing on/off cycles

If your furnace is older than 15 years and repairs are becoming more frequent, a replacement is usually the more economical choice long-term.

Learn more about the differences between repairing and replacing your HVAC.

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9. Add a Mini Split to Ease Furnace Load (and Lower Your Heating Bill)

Here’s a simple way to lower your heating bill even if your furnace is running normally:

Install a ductless mini split in your busiest or coldest room.

Mini splits are incredibly efficient and can take on part of the heating load. This means your furnace does less work. Homeowners with:

• Basement offices

• Bonus rooms

• Additions

• Sunrooms

• Homes with duct issues

…often see noticeable savings after adding a mini split.

Learn about your options here.

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10. Use Small Daily Habits to Lower Your Heating Bill

Sometimes small habits add up. Try these simple tips:

• Open blinds during sunny winter days to warm the home naturally.

• Close curtains at night to trap heat inside.

• Layer clothing indoors instead of relying on higher thermostat settings.

• Check filters monthly.

• Keep doors inside your home open for better airflow.

• Set the thermostat a degree or two lower than usual.

Each change is small, but together they make a real difference.

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When High Heating Bills Mean a Bigger Issue

Sometimes your bill goes up because something is wrong with your furnace.

Watch for these red flags:

• A burning smell when the furnace runs

• Loud banging or popping noises

• Cold air blowing out of vents

• The furnace shuts off too quickly

• Rooms heating unevenly

• The thermostat never reaches the right temperature

If you’re noticing one or more of these issues, it’s time for a professional evaluation.

Schedule your HVAC service today.

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