There’s no time of year that we don’t want to save money, but when it comes to winter and heating, we’re often under the misleading notion that we simply have to do what we have to do to keep ourselves warm and that saving just isn’t a very feasible option. However, that’s not the case at all! While it’s true that heating, to at least some extent, is necessary, particularly for those of us with families and children, there are still plenty of ways to stay just as warm as you would like to, all while saving money. And, a big part of that comes simply from keeping and maintaining the heat in your home that you’re already paying for.
Nearly 35% of all heat within a home is lost simply through air leakage. By doing everything possible to lower that number and keep your heat in your home, you can save a great deal all year long. If you’re not sure where to start, one of the first things to do is a very thorough walk-through of your entire home. Search high and low, on your knees and on your ladders, for any areas where heat might be escaping. Check near windows, doors, behind your light switch boxes, under the staircase and around the fireplace. Everywhere!
If you’re not sure how to tell if air is leaking, simply grab a lighted candle and hold it near the area in question (a windowsill, for example). If the flame dances around or moves/flickers, you know air is blowing. Once you find holes, cracks, etc., then you can use weather stripping, caulking or extra insulation to ensure that the air leaks or eliminated completely. There’s no sense pumping your home full of heat only to let it freely escape out holes and cracks that you can easily get rid of. Place draft-door stoppers in front of your doors, consider insulated curtains for your windows; all of these “little” things will greatly add up. For openings you don’t use or rarely use, like pet doors or chimneys, consider sealing them off completely if at all possible. Extra large openings like those often get overlooked, but they’re some of the worst offenders.
Other easy things to do to keep your heating costs lower:
- Clean furnace filters at least once a month and start the season with new ones (use less energy to push through clean filters)
- Turn hot water heater down from 140 degrees to 120 (you should never notice the difference)
- Turn down your home thermostat down by 2 degrees. Your body will acclimate to a two degree change very rapidly and you’ll save all season long
- Make the most of sunshine. The more of the free heat you can soak in from the rays of the sun during the day, the better. Keep blinds open wide during the day and closed at night
- Turn off central heating at night. Sleep with an electric blanket or a small portable heater to take the edge off your bedroom
- Use a programmable thermostat to ensure that you never forget to turn the heat down or off for the day/night
Simple changes can lead to significant savings, so never think a small effort won’t pay off over the long run! Wearing socks and shoes all day and bundling up in an extra layer that let’s you get away with turning down that thermostat will make a difference! So, keep your heat in wherever and however you can, and watch your savings add up!
Guest post via Air & Water.
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