Unless you are signed up for an average monthly payment plan, your energy bills can be a surprise–even a shock. Every little bit you can save on heating costs lowers those bills. Use these tips and tricks to save money without being uncomfortable.
Get An Energy Audit
An energy audit tells you where the house is losing heat and which areas should be prioritized to save heat and add comfort. There is no sense in adding attic insulation when you should be insulating rim joists instead. The average cost of a home energy audit is about $425.00. (Government rebates may reduce the cost.) Audits only need to be done once.
Adjust Your Thermostat
Turning the thermostat down 7 – 10 degrees Fahrenheit when no one is home can save up to 10% on heating bills. Lower the temperature by the same amount when you are sleeping. Add another blanket to the beds. (Keep the temperature above 55 degrees F. to prevent frozen pipes and frost on the windows.)
Programmable Thermostat
Upgrading to a programmable thermostat saves energy. It also saves you from having to remember to adjust your old thermostat. Smart thermostats can be programmed to your lifestyle, sleeping patterns, work, and holiday schedule.
Seal Your Windows and Doors
Your walls should have an R-value of R-12 or R-20. Double-glazed windows are R-2. And they often leak. Fix drafty windows with weatherstrip, caulking, and foam insulation. Storm windows are worth installing to keep the heat in. Even inexpensive plastic film prevents heat loss.
A ⅛” gap below your exterior door loses as much heat as a 2” hole in the wall. Adjust or replace your door sweep. Place a rolled-up towel or door draft stopper against it to prevent heat loss. Adjust the door to seal properly against the weatherstrip. Replace damaged weatherstrip.
Space Heaters
Space heaters are an excellent way to have a warm cozy area in a room while keeping the whole house temperature lower. Trying to heat an entire room with a space heater is not cost-efficient. Use them under home office desks, to heat a small reading area, or to warm a bathroom before use. Follow all space heater safety tips this winter. They can be dangerous–especially older heaters that may lack safety features like timers and auto shut-off if they tip over.
Fireplaces
Electric and gas fireplaces are very efficient and add a significant amount of heat to the room. Wood fireplaces may actually cool the house by drawing warm interior air to fuel the flames and sending it up the chimney. Close any fireplace doors after the burn to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney. Close the flue when the fireplace is not in use.
Use Fans
Reverse ceiling fans to mix the warm air that accumulates near the ceiling with cooler air to keep room temperatures constant. This is especially effective in homes with vaulted ceilings where warm air gathers. Small quiet fans located in rooms without ceiling fans achieve a similar effect.
Don’t Close Vents and Doors
Shutting off vents and closing doors to only heat parts of the house usually increases energy consumption. Furnace size is calculated to heat the entire house. Closing doors and vents alters the pressure balance and forces the furnace to work longer and harder.
More Easy Tips and Tricks
Include these easy inexpensive tips in your heat-saving arsenal.
- Curtains. Open curtains during the day so solar gain warms the house. Close them at night to preserve the heat.
- Furniture. Do not place furniture over or in front of vents, return air ducts, or any heat source. Keep rugs off floor vents.
- Bathroom and Kitchen Fans. Ventilation fans should run for 20 – 30 minutes to remove humidity. Installing a timer switch is an effective way to control run time.
- Furnace Filters. Dirty filters make the furnace work harder and run longer. Change them regularly.
- Attic Access. Ensure it has effective weatherstrip and remains tightly closed.
- Seal Cracks and Gaps. Seal all cracks, gaps, and wall penetrations to reduce heat loss.
- Insulate Heating Ducts. Ducting that passes through crawl spaces and attics should be insulated to prevent heat loss.
- Inspect Heating Systems. Have your furnace inspected yearly to maintain efficient operation.
