Winters in South Bend, Indiana, are especially long… The frigid weather arrives sometime in November as well as properly lasts until the end of May… My fantastic friend and I frequently experience temperatures in the teens as well as even well below zero. My heating bills are regularly a concern. The furnace blasts at maximum capacity round-the-clock for months at a time, i have invested into a top-of-the-line, Energy Star rated furnace, hoping to reduce energy costs. I chose a heater with a 96% AFUE rating that features both bendy-speed technology as well as zone control. It cost me a small luck but is steadily paying for itself. The bendy-speed operation allows the heater to automatically adjust output as well as supply only the exact amount of heat necessary to maintain perfect comfort. This avoids temperature swings, as well as the energy waste of a system continually starting up as well as shutting down. Zone control is especially helpful because I can customize temperature control settings room-by-room. I’m not forced to maintain perfect comfort in empty spaces. I can cater to the particular requirements of the room as well as personal preferences. It’s possible to keep bedrooms cooler than the residing room. I can set a lower temperature in the study room when I’m running the oven, but although I am undoubtedly cheerful with the modern furnace, I continue to look for ways to trim energy usage. I make sure to open the blinds during the afternoon to take advantage of warmth from the sun. I’ve added insulation to the attic, caulked around the windows as well as installed weatherstripping on exterior doors. The weather in South Bend means relying on the furnace for around eight months, which is pricey.