Lower Your Heating Bill
To lower your heating bill in the winter, you’ll have to take a few steps to ensure that your home is fully prepared to resist the outside cold. Electric and gas bills are particularly high for this time of the year, especially for homes that are not well insulated. Since turning your heater is probably not a good option, there are several ways that you can actually reduce energy costs while keeping your home cozy.
What follows are a number of tips that will lower your heating bill while using less energy. If at all possible, you’ll want to implement any substantial changes to your home during the warmer months when they may be less expensive to accomplish.
Fully Insulate Your Home
This is arguably the most obvious, but the most important step you can take to keep your energy bills down in the winter months. You’ll want to ensure that your walls and attic have the maximum effective insulation, but also remember to weather strip your doors and put plastic film over the windows to further reduce the cold air from reaching into your home.
Programmable Thermostat
One of the best ways to save money is by using a programmable thermostat which will lower the temperature while you are away or sleeping and help to save a considerable amount of money. A home monitoring system will also assist in reducing the amount of money that you spend as well.
Seal Air Ducts
Use foil or mastic tape to seal up your air ducts so that they don’t leak when running warm air into the rooms. It is estimated that many homes lose 20% or more of the heated air that leaks out into walls or other places that does not heat your home.
Maintain your Furnace
You’ll want to have your furnace inspected every fall before the cold weather strikes so that it can run efficiently. An inspection and maintenance may also spot potential issues that can be taken care of before they create any expensive repair bills. Remember to change out the filter on a monthly basis as well.
Add a Little Humidity
Studies have shown that having your home at roughly 35% to 40% will help it feel warmer as well as making it easier to breathe. This means that you can set your thermostat a little lower when you add some humidity to the air in your home.
Ceiling Fan
By running your ceiling fan clockwise, it will draw up the cold air and push down the warm air so that you do not have to run your heater as much.
Heat the Rooms that you Use
If you have rooms in your home that go unused, then don’t heat them. Shut off the vents to the room and keep the door closed. That way, you can run your heating system even less during the year.
Harness the Power of the Sun
Be sure to open the curtains on the south side of the home during the day to let in the warmth. Then, draw the curtains at night to trap the heat and better insulate your home.
By taking advantage of these steps, you can lower your heating bill considerably over the winter months and put more money in your pocket.
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