Winter has crept upon us and it's time to (if you haven't already) begin heating your home. Heating your home can be costly and there are many factors that can add into your heating bill. Here are some great heating tips we have found to hopefully get you warmer during the winter season and save some energy costs too!
Use weather stripping and avoid heating rooms that are not used or used less often. Even lowering the heat if you are able into a particular individual room can help save you money.
Did you know? According to the US Department of Energy dropping your heat thermostat can lower your bill by 1/3!
Heating the home while you are away? Unless you have pets there is no reason to have the thermostat set high, 60 degrees or lower can help save energy costs.
Window heat loss can take up to 1/3 of your energy bill! Use caulking or weather stripping on the windows to seal cracks that can leak in cold air. You can also use plastic wrapping to additionally help windows that seem drafty.
Maintain your heating system. While we might all have to call a HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) specialist at one point or another in our lives. You need to make sure to properly maintain your heating system,by not doing so you can incur costs that are unnecessary or worse. Call a HVAC specialist to schedule your seasonal service for your system. While they are there you can ask them how to properly care and maintain it throughout the winter season. Without proper maintenance you can be wasting energy costs or damaging your heating system further to the point of replacement.
Do you have a fireplace to help heat your home? If you are not making sure that the fireplace damper is closed unless a fire is burning, cold air can creep in, warm air can creep outside as if you just had a window open! Make sure to plug and seal the chimney flew if you are not intending on using your fireplace during the winter. You can also purchase grates made of C-shaped metal tubes that help draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room. Consider using fireplace inserts, doors or covers.
Make sure to change your filters regularly or purchase a permanent one.This can help maintain air flow through your heating system.
Use a programmable thermostat to help maintain temperatures in the home. Every degree you cut can save you up to 3% on your heating bill.
Use natural gas for heating. Consider switching to a natural gas heating system for your home. Natural gas is less expensive than other heating fuels.
Having shades, blinds and curtains open on windows facing south or west during the day can help heat your home.
Heating your home can sometimes be more than you bargained for, but it doesn't have to be! Be sure to follow these and many other simple tips on heating your home during the winter.
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