The Save Money Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

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.

The cold weather is almost upon us. This morning was particularly chilly. Time to get moving on doing a check on your house to make sure you aren't throwing your dollars away in heating and energy bills. Here are some suggestions I cam across in an article recently.

1. Add new attic insulation — Many home attics are much warmer than they should be, and lose a lot more heat than they ought to. Making sure you have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money on your heating bills.

2. Check your windows — Minimize the loss of warm air from your home by repairing any broken or cracked glass. Putty old windows and make sure that they close properly. Also, consider adding new weatherstripping and caulking the frames around windows.

3. Check your doors — Make sure all of your external doors close tightly. Replace any doorknobs, latches, and striker plates that don't work properly. Also, consider adding weatherstripping and caulking door frames as well.

4. Check the fireplace — Make sure that it has a tight-sealing damper and that you close it when not using the fireplace. If you never use the fireplace install a chimney block to eliminate heat loss through the chimney.

5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs — Replace all of your old incandescent light bulbs with newer energy-efficient bulbs. They'll help you save on your electric bill and you may even be able to get a rebate from your utility company by using them.

6. Install low-flow showerheads — Over time these can save you quite a bit on your energy and water bills.

7. Reduce your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit — Many people keep the water in their tanks way too hot. Lower the thermostat and save a bunch of money.

Other energy-saving improvements you may want to consider:

(Note: These improvements are more "involved" and costly but well worth the investment in the long-run.)

1. Install automatic setback thermostats that adjust your home's heat on a schedule.

2. Add new insulation to your walls, basement, crawlspaces, and flooring.

3. Install exterior storm windows.

4. Replace your normal curtains with tight-sealing or insulated window coverings