Marshall winters don’t mess around—and neither do heating bills. The good news: you don’t have to live in a parka indoors to cut costs. A few practical airflow fixes and thermostat tweaks can make your home feel more comfortable while helping your heating system run less.

Below are the best homeowner-friendly steps we recommend at Bisbee Plumbing & Heating to reduce heating bills in Marshall, MN—without sacrificing comfort.

1) Change Your Furnace Filter (Yes, It Matters That Much)

A dirty filter is one of the most common causes of high heating bills. When the filter is clogged, your furnace has to work harder to push air through the system. That means:

• longer run times

• more wear and tear

• uneven temperatures in rooms

• higher energy use

What to do:

• Check your filter monthly during heavy heating season.

• Replace it if it looks gray, dusty, or packed with debris.

• Make sure it’s the correct size and installed the right direction (airflow arrow).

Pro tip: Higher-MERV filters can help air quality, but if your system isn’t designed for them, they can restrict airflow. If your airflow seems weak after upgrading a filter, drop back to the recommended rating or ask us what’s right for your system.

2) Don’t “Close Off Rooms” the Wrong Way (Vent + Return Strategy)

It seems logical: “We don’t use that room, so we’ll close the vents.” But in many homes, closing too many supply vents can actually increase furnace strain and reduce comfort.

Here’s why:

• Your furnace and ductwork were designed for a certain amount of airflow.

• Restricting supply vents can raise pressure in the ducts.

• Higher pressure can worsen leaks, increase noise, and reduce efficiency.

• In some cases, it can contribute to overheating and short cycling.

Better strategy:

• Keep most supply vents open, especially in main living areas.

• Make sure return vents are never blocked(returns are just as important as supplies).

• If one room is consistently colder, it may be a balancing or insulation issue—not a “close vents elsewhere” issue.

Quick check: Walk the house and confirm furniture, curtains, rugs, or pet beds aren’t blocking either supply vents or returns.

3) Use Thermostat Setbacks (But Keep Them Realistic)

Thermostat setbacks—lowering the temperature when you’re asleep or away—can reduce heating costs. The key is doing it in a way that still feels comfortable and doesn’t make your furnace run forever trying to “catch up.”

What to do:

• Try a small setback at night and when away (many households start with 2–4°F).

• Set it to warm back up about 30–60 minutes before you wake up or get home.

• If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, use schedules instead of constant manual changes.

Avoid extremes:

• Dropping the temp too far can make the house feel clammy and uncomfortable.

• A huge bounce-back can cause longer run times in the morning, especially during very cold stretches.

If your home feels chilly even at a normal setpoint: that’s often an airflow, duct, or insulation issue—not a thermostat issue.

4) Humidity: The Secret Weapon for Feeling Warm at Lower Temps

Here’s the comfort trick many homeowners miss: humidity changes how warm your home feels. In winter, indoor air is often dry. Dry air can make 70°F feel colder than it should.

When humidity is balanced, you may be able to feel comfortable at a slightly lower thermostat setting.

Humidifier considerations:

• Whole-home humidifiers can improve comfort, reduce static, and help with dry skin/throat.

• But too much humidity can cause condensation on windows and other issues—especially in very cold weather.

Rule of thumb:

• Aim for comfortable, moderate humidity. If you notice persistent window condensation, your humidity may be set too high for the outdoor temperature.

If you already have a humidifier and it doesn’t seem to help, it may need service, cleaning, or adjustment.

5) Bonus: Small Comfort Fixes That Reduce Run Time

A few additional quick wins that help your furnace heat more efficiently:

• Keep interior doors open if your system relies on shared return airflow

• Make sure registers aren’t dusty or obstructed

• Replace failing weatherstripping around exterior doors (drafts force longer furnace cycles)

• Confirm the thermostat isn’t near a draft, supply vent, or sunny window (bad readings = bad cycles)

When Bills Stay High: It Might Be a System Issue

If you’ve done the basics—fresh filter, vents/returns clear, reasonable thermostat schedule—and bills are still climbing, your system may be losing efficiency due to:

• dirty internal components

• duct leakage

• weak blower performance

• burner/combustion issues

• controls that cause short cycling

That’s where a professional tune-up pays for itself by improving performance and catching problems early.

 

Ready to Save Without Shivering?

If you want lower heating bills and a home that feels consistently warm, we can help you get there.

Book a tune-up for efficiency with Bisbee Plumbing & Heating and we’ll make sure your system is running clean, balanced, and ready for the toughest Marshall cold snaps.