< Back to blog listing

Hints for Home Heating

1-Blog-Image_Hints-for-Home-Heating-(1).jpg

Winter is here, and so are the utility bills associated with heating your home. Heating and cooling your home can account for as much as 40% or more of your utility bills. Fortunately, there are ways to moderate the costs associated with Old Man Winter.

Here are some energy-efficient ideas from the Department of Energy to keep you and your family warm this season.

If you haven’t already, installing a smart or programmable thermostat is an easy way to make sure temperatures in your home fluctuate efficiently based on your household’s schedule. Smart thermostats can learn the schedule of your home and adjust the temperature inside it accordingly. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to cut back to a cooler level when people aren’t home. Turning down your thermostat for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on your heating bill.

Be sure your furniture and décor are not blocking heating registers. This will allow air to circulate more freely and save energy.

Leaks in windows and doors are one of the biggest culprits in causing a chilly household. If you feel a draft, the first step in sealing it is to find the source of the leak. One of the easiest methods to do this is a simple air leak test using a match or incense sick. To perform the test, attempt the following on a windy day or while all exhaust vents are blowing.

1. Close all your windows and doors.
2. Next, with all safety precautions in mind, light an incense stick or a match and pass it by windows and doors. If the smoke is sucked out of the room or blown into the room, you’ve found an air leak in your home.
3. Seal any leaks with caulk or weatherstripping. Winter may mean colder weather is here, but it doesn't have to drain your wallet.

Posted: 1/12/2023 3:59:38 PM
Author:
Comments: 0