FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Bone-chilling temperatures have pushed furnaces into overdrive across the Midwest, and homeowners are feeling the pain at the thermostat and in their wallets.
Local HVAC pros say most people can slash their heating costs by 20-30% this season with simple changes many skip. The best part? Many of these fixes cost nothing or pay for themselves in weeks.
Dirty Filters Are Silent Bill Killers
The number one reason furnaces fail or run up massive bills is a clogged air filter.
“It restricts airflow so badly the system works twice as hard,” says Cameron Morse, senior technician at Masters Heating & Cooling in Fort Wayne. “We see filters so packed with dust they look like felt blankets.”
A dirty filter can add $10–$25 to your monthly bill and shorten your furnace’s life by years.
Change it every 30–60 days during heavy use. Families with pets or allergy sufferers should check monthly. A clean $15 filter can save $150–$300 over the winter.
Small Adjustments, Big Savings
The U.S. Department of Energy says dropping your thermostat 7–10 degrees for eight hours a day cuts heating costs 10% annually.
Real-world numbers from Fort Wayne customers show even better results.
Homeowners who lower the temperature from 72°F to 68°F when sleeping or away typically save $180–$280 this season, according to Masters Heating & Cooling records.
Use a programmable or smart thermostat for automatic setbacks. Popular models like Nest or Ecobee start at $129 and often qualify for rebates up to $100 through local utility programs.
Seal Leaks Before Heat Escapes
Cold air sneaking in forces your furnace to run nonstop.
A single 1/8-inch gap around a door equals a 6-inch hole in your wall for heat loss.
Quick fixes that pay off fast:
- Install weatherstripping on doors ($10–$20 per door)
- Add door sweeps to block drafts at the bottom
- Apply clear caulk around windows (costs under $5 per tube)
- Use outlet gaskets behind switch plates (10-pack for $3)
These cheap upgrades together can save 10–15% on heating costs, Energy Star reports.
Ceiling Fans Are Winter Tools Too
Flip the switch on your ceiling fan so blades run clockwise on low speed.
This pushes warm air down from the ceiling where it collects.
Most people forget this trick, yet it lets you stay comfortable at a lower thermostat setting. Homeowners typically drop 2–4 degrees without noticing, saving another 5–8% on bills.
Schedule Maintenance Now, Not When It Breaks
A furnace tune-up costs $100–$200 but prevents 80% of breakdowns, according to industry data.
Technicians clean burners, check heat exchangers for dangerous cracks, and spot small issues before they become $1,000+ repairs.
Masters Heating & Cooling reports calls spike when temperatures drop below 10°F. Customers with annual maintenance plans almost never face emergency no-heat situations.
“People wait until the coldest night to call,” Morse says. “Then they’re stuck paying premium rates and waiting while their pipes risk freezing.”
The bitter cold gripping the region right now serves as a wake-up call for thousands of homeowners staring at skyrocketing energy bills and praying their old furnace holds up one more winter.
Simple habits like swapping a filter, sealing a draft, or turning the fan the right direction add up to real money saved and warmer homes without stress.
Stay warm, stay safe, and take control of your comfort this season.
What is your go-to trick for keeping heating bills down? Drop it in the comments and share this story with anyone shivering through these polar temps.
