Don’t overpay for heat this winter
Published Jessica Vitullo - December 15, 2015
Staying warm this winter is a necessity. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to stay comfortable and cozy in your home. Improve your energy bills this month by following our guide and enlisting in a heating expert to heat your home this winter season.
Hire a pro to conduct a heat/energy assessment
No matter how much your energy bills are this month, there are always adjustments you can make in your home to save a little bit more. Having said that, you’ll want to find out which areas of your home are losing the greatest amount of heat. You can’t fix the problem if you don’t know where it is, right?
Hire a heating specialist to visit your home and evaluate where you can save on energy in your home. They might even offer you some advice on the heating system you have in your home and determine if it’s the right size for the size of home it’s heating.
Cover drafty windows
If you’ve had a heat assessment and know that some windows in your home aren’t properly sealed, thus allowing cool air to leak into your home, it’s time to do some winter-proofing. Taping a clear plastic sheet to the window frame (or even inside the window frames) will help keep that cold air in, thus keeping your home warmer during the cold months. You may also want to consider installing tight-fitting drapes or shades on the windows to keep that cold air from coming into your home.
Use the sun’s heat to heat your home
Maybe you’ve already installed energy efficient drapes on your windows. If that’s the case, then let the sunlight from outside stream into your home to naturally heat the rooms you’re in most. Keep curtains open (or drapes up) on south-facing windows during the day to let your home soak up that sun. Close them at night and turn up the heat if necessary.
Buy a programmable thermostat
When you’re inside your home, you want to be comfortable. But turning the thermostat back a few degrees before leaving the house means you’re coming home to unbearable cold. That’s why it’s a worthwhile idea to invest in a programmable thermostat. They allow you to set the temperature at specific times, so you can set the temperature low during the day, and have the thermostat turn on to a higher temperature right before you’re planning to come home.
Scheduling the thermostat like this will help you save money on your bills on a monthly basis since you won’t be wasting precious heat while you’re not there.
Schedule a heating system check-up
Your home’s heating system should be regularly maintained in order for it to work properly. That means replacing the filters every three to four months and having an experienced heating specialist visit your home to ensure it’s in proper working order. Consult our directory to find a specialist who can conduct a home visit. To help you make a decision on who to hire, read through the reviews on our site!
Use the fireplace properly
Is there a better feeling than sitting yourself in front of the fireplace? It’s a great way to keep your home warm, but there are a few things to consider:
- Close the damper when the fireplace isn’t in use. Keeping it open throughout the day lets the hot air escape through the chimney.
- Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.
There are even more ways to keep money in your wallet this winter. Check it out:
You can keep warm this winter and save money while doing it. By making these small adjustments in your home, and of course, using our directory to hire a heating professional to monitor your home’s heating system, you’ll have a comfortable and less expensive winter season.