With the cost of heating rising with inflation, everyone is looking for ways to save on their utility bills this winter! Here are some tips we tell customers to combat rising heating costs:
Use the sun's heat for free! Opening your curtains during the day to allow the sunshine in is a simple way to add some heat to your home for free.
Close up at night. Windows can also mean heat loss. Closing your windows in the evening and even upgrading to insulated curtains can maximize the energy efficiency of your home.
Seal Air Leaks and Drafts. Caulking and weather-stripping are solutions that can pay for themselves with the energy savings they bring within a year's time! Use caulk for cracks and openings between stationary objects like door and window frames. You can use weather-stripping around anything that moves, like doors and window sashes.
Reset Your Water Heater Thermostat. After your HVAC system, water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home. Your water heater heats water to a set temperature, then maintains that temperature 24/7. Just setting that holding temperature a few degrees cooler can add up to big savings on your energy bills.
Keep the Air Circulating. Did you know that your home's ceiling fans can keep you warm in winter? Switching your fan to a clockwise rotation will force an updraft to better circulate warm air that collects near your ceiling.
Set Your Thermostat Lower. This seems like a no-brainer, but many folks deflect the programmable features on their home's thermostat to save energy. Just dialing back your temperature 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day can save up to 10% on your energy bill.
Of course, all of these suggestions can only do so much. If your heating bills are out of hand, it might be time to consider replacing your aging furnace.
