Most of the country is for a cold winter chill this weekend. That means cranking those heaters and gas logs up. Keep in mind, even though you prefer to stay nice and toasty, you can still save money on your heating expenses when you reduce your energy bills this winter.
The first thing you should do is get an energy assessment to figure out where to save the most money. Some companies will perform these for free or at a minimal cost. In the end, you will save a significant amount of money and unnecessary expenses.
- Make sure you open your curtains during the day. Allowing natural sunlight into your home will also heat things up. This can slightly offset the cost of heating.
- Tape or staple heavy-duty, clear, plastic sheets to the inside of your drafty windows during the winter. This will help keep in the warm air.
- Always try to keep your thermostat set as low as possible. Throw on a pair of socks or a scarf to warm up. On the flip side, when you leave the house or are asleep, set your thermostat between 10 to 15 degrees lower than usual to save even more money. A programmable thermostat can also help out here.
- Find and seal any duct leaks throughout your home.
- Have a fire as often as possible. You can buy a truckload of wood for a reasonable price. Running your fireplace during chilly nights is a great way to relax too.
- Make sure you keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is actually burning.
- If you aren’t a big fan of the fireplace but have one in your home, make sure you plug and seal the chimney flue and damper. This will keep out any unnecessary cold air.
- You can also add caulking around the fireplace hearth to ensure that you keep your warm air in.
- Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home.
- Finally, make sure you check your water heater. Turn down the temperature to the warm setting (120°F). Not only will you start saving on heating energy. But, you will ensure that you don’t scald yourself or any of your children.