7 Smart Ways Ottawa Homeowners Can Cut Home Heating Costs This Winter By Clockwork HVAC | Ottawa’s Trusted Heating Experts
If you’re like most Ottawa homeowners, your heating bill takes a big bite out of your winter budget. With energy prices on the rise and winters getting colder, it’s more important than ever to keep your home warm—without burning through your wallet.
The good news? You don’t need a major renovation to save money on heating. As Ottawa’s local HVAC experts, we’ve put together 7 smart, practical ways to help you reduce home heating costs—without sacrificing comfort.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Your furnace works hard all winter long. Over time, dirt, wear and tear, and minor mechanical issues can drag down its efficiency. That means it has to work harder—and use more energy—to heat your home.
Booking a yearly furnace tune-up with Clockwork HVAC:
Improves efficiency
Extends your system’s lifespan
Reduces the risk of mid-winter breakdowns
A well-maintained system uses less energy, keeping your heating bills in check.
2. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats do more than just look high-tech—they help you control your energy usage with precision. These devices let you:
Automatically lower the temperature when you're asleep or away
Program heating schedules around your routine
Control your home’s temperature from your phone
Even small adjustments—like lowering your thermostat by 2–3 degrees—can save up to 10% a year on heating.
3. Seal Drafts and Improve Insulation
Heat can escape through gaps around windows, doors, attics, and even electrical outlets. In fact, drafty homes can lose up to 30% of their heat through air leaks!
Here’s what you can do:
Add weatherstripping to windows and doors
Seal cracks with caulking
Upgrade attic insulation if needed
Use draft blockers on exterior doors
Clockwork HVAC also offers home energy audits to pinpoint areas where you’re losing heat—and money.
4. Install a High-Efficiency Furnace or Heat Pump
Older furnaces—especially those over 15 years old—can be huge energy hogs. If your system is outdated, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace or a cold-climate heat pump.
Modern systems:
Use significantly less energy
Provide more consistent, even heating
Qualify for rebates and incentives through federal and provincial programs
Not sure where to start? Our team can help you compare models and find the best solution for your home and budget.
5. Promote Air Circulation
Keep the registers in every room open, as well as the doors, even if you don’t use these rooms. People often think if they close certain vents it will push more warm air to the area of the home they would like it, however, that is not how your duct system is designed to function. Keeping every register and interior door open will allow greater circulation of the air, more even temperature throughout the entire home, and better energy savings.
You can maximize air flow even further by utilizing ceiling fans. Ceiling fans set to a clockwise direction in winter will help circulate the warmed air back down toward the space you occupy. It will also allow heat to stay in the room for longer so your furnace does not need to come on as often.
And don’t forgot to regularly change your furnace filters. Standard 1” filters should be changed monthly and largerer 5” filters should be changed approximately every 6 months.
These steps will not only promote air circulation, energy saving, snd provide greater comfort - they will actually improve the quality of your indoor air by providing greater filtration for your air.
6. Use Curtains to Your Advantage
Take advantage of natural sunlight by opening south-facing curtains during the day to let in warmth. At night, close them to add an extra layer of insulation and reduce heat loss through the glass.
Bonus tip: Use thermal or insulated curtains in the winter to boost your home’s efficiency even more.
Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Savings
Heating your home in Ottawa doesn’t have to break the bank. With the right combination of smart technology, regular maintenance, and a few DIY upgrades, you can stay warm and lower your bills—even during the coldest months.
Need Help Cutting Heating Costs in Ottawa?
Whether you need a furnace tune-up, help sealing drafts, or advice on upgrading to a high-efficiency system, Clockwork HVAC is here to help. Our local experts understand the challenges of Ottawa winters and are committed to keeping your home comfortable—without overpaying for heat.
📞 Call us today or book a free consultation online to start saving on your home heating costs this season.
