Lower Your Home Heating Bill with These 8 Simple Tips
Living in New England, we all know winter weather stays cold for pretty much the entire season. Rarely do we get days where going outside doesn’t require a heavy coat. Your house is the same way during the chilliest time of the year, as it needs to keep you warm and safe from the brutal weather conditions. If you’re one of many that dread that pesky home heating bill arriving in the mail, there are a number of things you can personally do to keep the cost of heating down. A few simple house hacks could end up saving you hundreds of dollars every winter. And the best part is that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to stay warm and cozy.
Here Are 8 Easy Tricks to Shrink Your Home Heating Bill.
1. Look for Leaks:
Check for open drafts throughout your home. Look for culprits along windows, light fixtures, and doors. To do this, light a candle and observe the smoke trail next to these fixtures. If you see the smoke move horizontally, your home leaks warm air to the outside. Fix this problem by caulking or weather stripping these areas.
2. Replace Old Weather Stripping:
Replace old weather stripping along windows and doors. Over time, the elements may break these barriers down. New weather stripping keeps the warm air in and cold air out.
3. Use Natural Heat:
You have several sources of natural heat at your disposal. Open your curtains to let the sun in during the day, but then close them at night to keep in the heat. When taking a hot shower, keep the bathroom door open to allow the steam to exit and warm up surrounding rooms. Your body also generates heat, so bundle up with a cozy pair of sweats and a sweatshirt or sweater. Don’t forget a pair of socks or two, because when your feet feel cold, the rest of your body feels chilly.
4. Lower Your Thermostat at Night:
Pile on the blankets and comforters while you sleep and lower your thermostat at night. Experts suggest lowering your thermostat to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In the morning, when you wake up, raise the temperature to 70. Your furnace quickly warms your house from your overnight setting.
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat:
A programmable thermostat regulates your home’s temperature with precision, but it also lets you easily maintain certain settings. Program your nighttime and daytime settings automatically so your home stays at a particular temperature depending on when you are home or asleep. This keeps your HVAC system running at optimum levels for energy consumption.
6. Check Your HVAC System:
Check your HVAC system for inefficiencies. Look for possible leaks coming from your air ducts and see if any portions of your ducts lack insulation. Remedy these problems with duct tape and wrap insulation, or hire an expert to examine your HVAC system.
7. Examine the Exterior:
Check the exterior of your home and plug any holes you see. Pay attention to places where your utilities run from the outside, such as pipes and electrical conduits. Seal any gaps between the walls and the pipes with expanding foam.
8. Cover Windows With Film:
Cover your windows and patio doors with clear, plastic film during the winter. Windows cause 25 percent of your home’s heat loss in the winter. Covering them with clear film could save you more than 10 percent on your home heating bill.
Fight back against the chill of New England winters and a discouraging home heating bill with these quick and easy tips. And as always, look into saving even more when insuring your home. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, let Northeast Insurance help you get the most bang for your buck!
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