We are here to help you cut costs and save on heating bills this winter. Here are some tips to improve your heating system to ensure maximized efficiency, so no energy is ever wasted. And you and your family can make the most of your heater or furnace in terms of warmth and comfort.
In fact, according to www.energystar.gov, in the US, heating and cooling costs make up about 42% of residential energy consumption. While in Canada, the residential heating expense goes up to 63%.
If you are on a tight budget, have a fixed income, and need a break from more bills, try these helpful and effective tips that will help you reduce your heating bills and maximize your savings this cold season.
- Caulk And Windowstrip All Possible Areas
Check every area of your house with special attention to walls, windows, doors, and corners for holes, cracks, or gaps that could let cold air in and warm air out. Though small and sometimes unnoticed, a reasonable amount of heat could be lost.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), caulking cracks and gaps helps keep warm air indoors, decreasing energy wastage and improving savings. In fact, you can save up to 15% of energy costs by applying air-sealing solutions, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You can do this by installing a whole-house insulation system that can be expensive or purchasing window treatments or insulator kits as price-friendly options.
- Block Unused Chimney
Another major hole left unattended – the chimneys!
Chimneys provide us with heat, but ironically, it is one of the biggest sources of heat loss at home during winter since it is usually left open even when not in use. So before and after using it in the festivities during the holidays, make sure to block it to help conserve the heat in your home.
Try using top-sealing dampers or chimney caps and balloons to effectively seal your chimney.
- Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat will let you set or adjust temperatures for each time of the day. With that, you can find what works best for your home in terms of comfort and savings.
According to Small Business Trends, setting the temperature even just 1 degree lower can help you save up to 5% of energy. So think of all the money you’ll save if you can correctly program your thermostat, not only during winter but all year-round.
Maximize efficiency and savings; purchase a high-quality programmable thermostat today!
- Use A Curtain Correctly
This is yet another tip suggested by the Department of Energy. Depending on the time of the day, you can use winter sunlight to warm your home and save energy. In addition, daylight can provide free heat, so you can lower your indoor temperature to some degrees. So, open your south-facing window curtains during the day and take advantage of the winter sun.
Also, during this chilly season, use thermal or dense curtains to help retain the warm air brought in by your heating system inside your home. Utilizing light curtains, or worse, no curtains at all, makes it easier to lose heat through the windows and waste energy.
- Dress for Winter
The ways you dress for winter can help you save or spend more this season. Wearing layered clothing (the more, the better) will insulate your body from the cold so you can lower the temperature and save money.
Lowering your home temperature by 4 degrees would result in energy savings of at least 35%- and that’s A LOT! So make sure that you and your family use thermal shirts, socks, and sweaters to keep and stay warm and comfortable at home.
Layering rugs and thermal curtains, and blankets also do the trick!
- Check Your Furnace Filters Clean
Majority of households both in Canada and the US use furnaces to heat their homes. With furnaces, it must be noted that the unit’s performance is dependent on proper and efficient airflow.
Dirty and clogged furnace filters can hamper airflow, so your furnace needs to work harder to produce the same amount of heat that can easily be accomplished with a properly cleaned filter. This also goes with clogged coils and blowers; it is highly important to be kept clean for optimum furnace performance.
There are many high-quality furnace filters you can choose from. Make sure to purchase one today to secure clean air and save on energy bills.
- Use LED Christmas Lights
‘Tis the season! Yes, winter is also the season for the Christmas holiday. But, even before winter comes, your Christmas decorations and lights are already out of the boxes and are all over adorning your house. So, make sure that the light you’re using LED light strings.
The usual Christmas lights use incandescent C-9 lights, and they can waste quite a lot of energy. In fact, using it to light a six-foot tree 12 hours a day for 40 days would cost around $10 compared to only $0.27 when using LED strings.
Not only are LED lights good for your pocket, but they are also safer to use and easier to install.
- Always Turn Off Unused Appliances
You might think it is okay to leave appliances plugged and on standby when they are not in use. But think again, it still uses energy for nothing. By making sure that all appliances are off, you can save an estimated 50 Canadian dollars) a year.
It may not be a big amount, but when done collectively by every household and practiced throughout the years, a lot of energy can be saved.
- Cool Down Your Water Heater
On average, water heating takes up to 17% of residential energy usage. Fortunately, every 10°F that is lowered on your water heater’s temperature, you can save 3-5% on your water heating costs.
The easiest way to lower it is to turn the temperature down to 120°F or lower depending on where you are located and how cold your winter is.
Another way is to wrap the hot water pipes with insulation sleeves. This is yet another piece of advice from the DOE; they stated that insulated hot water pipes can reduce heat loss and raise the water temperature to 2°F–4°F than uninsulated pipes. This will allow you to lower your water temperature setting and save on heating costs.
Also, in doing laundry, water heating consumes 90% of the energy used, which should not be the case. In not necessary to wash your clothes with warm water anymore; detergents today are designed to work effectively at 30 degrees Celsius.
- Tune-up Your Furnace Before Winter
Make sure to have your furnace in top shape and ready to provide your home with a comfortable, warm indoor atmosphere during the chilly winter season.
