While home heating expenses are predicted to increase significantly this winter, there is still time to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money. There are simple ways to halve your heating costs, regardless of whether your home is heated by a furnace, boiler, central heating, or another method.
When it comes to energy conservation, it’s often the small things that build up significant savings on home heating bills. Here are some suggestions for lowering your winter heating expenditures.
1. Conduct An In-Depth Inspection For Air Leaks And Drafts
Examining your home for drafts and open-air leaks around the walls, ceilings, lighting and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets is one approach to cut your heating bills. Warm air may escape via these openings, putting an additional strain on your heating system. You should inspect all door weather seals and weather stripping for damage or cracks and seal window frames.
Any ducting running through your attic, crawlspace, basement, or garage may have gaps; thus, inspect and seal any ducting running through your attic, crawlspace, basement, or garage. Sealing and insulating ducts can boost your heating and cooling system’s effectiveness. If you live within the Toms Brook, VA area, contact a local heating company Toms Brook residents can easily contact to help seal any major air leaks.
2. Reduce The Temperature Set On The Thermostat
Reduce your energy costs by lowering your thermostat. It may be tempting to keep the house warm to avoid having to bundle up as much. The wonderful thing about reducing your thermostat is that you may do so while away from home and not feel a difference.
It’s easier than ever with today’s smart thermostats. Program a timer to indicate when you want the house to chill a few degrees and when you want it to heat a few degrees. Increase the heat a few minutes before your standard morning wake time, and your house will be toasty when you need to get out of bed.
3. Close Off Unused Rooms
Depending on the size of your house and the number of tenants, you may have some underused or underutilized rooms. Heating portions of your home that are not in use is inefficient. Close the doors to any rooms you don’t regularly use to save money on your heating cost.
Additionally, you may wish to close vents in areas not in use to prevent warm air from the ducts from entering. To completely seal off such areas, put a towel or draft blocker beneath the door’s base.
4. Close The Drapes
Along with weather stripping and sealing leaks around your windows, window treatments can have a significant impact on your home heating expenses. Insulated curtains conserve energy by avoiding drafts and heat loss, but the benefits vary according to the drapery type you choose.
Consider curtains that have at least acrylic or high-density foam insulation and a reflective film that aids in transferring heat into the room. Utilize them once they are hung. Utilize solar energy. During the day, open the curtains to help raise the inside temperature; close them to help retain heat at night.
5. Keep A Sharp Eye Out For The Fireplace
It may be tempting to light the fireplace with the expectation of saving money on your heating bill. Bear in mind, however, that the heat is most likely only reaching one region of the house and is not circulating throughout.
When the fireplace is used, the remainder of the house may become colder, which is bad news for your heating bill. If you choose to use the fireplace this season, be sure to clean it thoroughly beforehand.
6. Adjust The Water Heater Temperature
Your water heater may consume more energy than you know, especially for an older type. Energy-efficient water heaters quickly pay for themselves in terms of energy savings.
Consider installing a water heater blanket to maximize your savings. A covering for the water heater is an insulating layer that surrounds the hot water tank. It contributes to heat retention and reduces the heating element’s times. You can also make use of custom apps to do it.
7. Use Ceiling Fans To Distribute Heat
When the weather outdoors is cold, do not simply turn off your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans often rotate in the opposite direction of the wind to force air downward and keep you cool.
On the other hand, most ceiling fans include a reverse switch. It creates an updraft, which assists in warming chilly people by extracting hot air from the ceiling and directing it downward.
Takeaway
Maintaining a warm home can be costly, but you can save some money by following a few of these tips. Outside air is excluded, internal air is retained, and energy waste is minimized. Curtains that are insulated, air sealing, and smart thermostats should all be included in your year-round approach for energy conservation and cost savings.
