The thought of winter alone brings fear to many homeowners, especially those residing in the northeast region of the United States. When the cold season arrives, it usually means spending double on heating. But you don’t have to be looking at increased heating costs every single year and just acquiesce to it. Read this article to find out how to save on heating costs in the most practical ways.
Let’s start with BankRate.com‘s article about the “6 tips to save on home heating,” wherein there’s an emphasis of how you should do the right insulation for your home.
Insulation is your home’s all-purpose force field against high energy bills. It minimizes heat transfer in winter and summer, provides ventilation to control moisture and makes your home more livable.
Bringing your attic insulation up to code for your region is one of the most cost-effective ways to winter-proof your bear cave. The Department of Energy can get you started with its ZIP Code Insulation Calculator.
But before you blow insulation, be sure to seal all ductwork, plumbing and cable TV penetrations. Leaky ducts can account for 10 percent to 30 percent of heating and cooling costs.
“Most houses leak like sieves,” says Lindstrom. “Attic access doors are one of the biggest offenders. By building an insulation dam around the scuttle opening and installing an insulated lid on it, you’ll save big.”
Cost: $500 to $1,000 to bring a typical attic up to code. Lindstrom recommends earth-friendly chopped cellulose, which is chemically treated to repel fire and insects and retains its loft better than fiberglass.
Savings: 20 percent to 30 percent off your monthly bill, with return on investment in as little as one year.
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We admit that improving your home’s insulation will cost you money. But remember that you’re doing it for your benefit in the long run. It makes zero sense to have the best heating equipment at home if the heat produced by it is not ideally utilized.
Aside from insulation, there are also several convenient ways to save on heating costs, but this time you no longer have to spend money to do them. Take this advice from ConsumerEnergyCenter.org:
Let the sunshine in. Open drapes and let the sun heat your home for free (get them closed again at sundown so they help insulate).
Rearrange your rooms. Move your furniture around so you are sitting near interior walls – exterior walls and older windows are likely to be drafty. Don’t sit in the draft.
Keep it shut. Traditional fireplaces are an energy loser – it’s best not to use them because they pull heated air out of the house and up the chimney. When not in use, make absolutely sure the damper is closed. Before closing the damper, make sure that you don’t have any smoldering embers. If you decide not to use a fireplace, then block off the chimney with a piece of rigid insulation from the hardware store that fits snugly into the space (dampers don’t shut fully without some leaking).
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Even the smallest ways of producing and trapping heat inside can give you that much needed savings in home heating. If you’re using a fireplace, then stop. When the sun shines in the morning, let it in. Simple as that, really.
And then there are those ways that are focused on those things you should have been doing right from the start, but you haven’t done them simply because you weren’t aware. See this article titled “10 Ways to Save on Energy Costs this Winter” by Niccole Schreck, for US News:
Use ceiling fans to your advantage. Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months. If you have ceiling fans in your apartment, you have more control over ventilation than you know. Ceiling fans can be used strategically to achieve better airflow: counter-clockwise will push hot air up in the summer and clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down.
Adjust the thermostat at night. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save about 10 percent per year on your heating bills by turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. Consider investing in flannel sheets and a warm comforter for your bed and keeping your apartment cooler when you sleep.
Only heat the rooms you use. If you have rooms that you never use, like guest rooms or large storage areas, close and seal off the vents in those rooms to be more energy efficient and direct the flow of air to the rooms you use most. Energy bills run, on average, $183 per month. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and setting the thermostat to 62 degrees, you can save approximately $200 each year.
Keep your furnace clean and unblocked. Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will reduce energy consumption and help you save. Check your furnace filter monthly, and replace it when it gets dirty.
Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can become very dry. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature. You can also increase the humidity in your apartment with a collection of house plants.
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Regardless of the type of fuel you use for heating your home, all those tips above are applicable. They’re not that difficult to follow, which means you can’t find an excuse to ignore them. You might not feel the need to do them, but when winter comes and your heating bill arrives, you definitely will revisit this article.
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