Heating costs are a major expense for many, especially in colder climates. Residents of these regions spend more than 65 percent of their annual utility budget during the winter. Here are four home improvements that can lower your energy bills this winter.
Find and Fix Drafts
This tactic will sound ridiculous, but it’s effective. The invisible enemy in your home is a draft. These spots are where cool air from outdoors enters your home. Your heater will have to work harder to counterbalance the frosty wind.
To find the source of the problem, light a candle. Then, walk around all areas of your house that have any sort of exterior access. That includes windows, baseboards, doors, and vents. Pay attention to whether the candle flickers when held in these spots. If it does, you have a draft that you need to cover. If the candle blows out entirely, you have a bigger problem. Investigate whether adding weather stripping would help. A cheaper solution is to place heavy drapes in front of the draft area.
Learn Your Weaknesses
One of the reasons why your heating expense spirals out of control is that your home has flaws. Your heating system pumps hot air to all rooms of your house. Any gaps in the walls will feed hot air outside. You’re now paying to heat the great outdoors in winter.
To avoid this, schedule an appointment with an energy auditor. The Department of Energy recommends this practice since it assures homeowners of optimal energy efficiency. The auditor will walk through your home, identifying the spots where you’re most vulnerable. Once you have a list, hire a reliable professional at Dyess Air to make the repairs and improvements. You’ll save a ton of money in the long run.
Add Insulation
Your home will naturally suffer some deterioration over time. It’s normal behavior that you should expect. Prior to the winter, take a close look at the insulation in your home. Note the portions that look worn out. Then, head over to a hardware store and buy new insulation. It shouldn’t cost a lot. A full blown-in insulation project is $1,346 on average, and you’ll require only a fraction of that amount. Plus, that estimate includes installation, but you’ll handle that part yourself. A fresh batch of insulation will prevent heat from leaking outside.
Embrace Technology
Programmable and learning thermostats are two of the most valued technologies in the housing industry. A programmable thermostat empowers homeowners to set up a series of heating options. You can schedule your unit to turn on at various points during the day when you need heat the most. Then, you can program the device to deactivate your unit when the room is at an acceptable temperature.
Devices like Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat are even better. They will learn from your behavior, identifying when you use the heat most often as well as when you’re most comfortable. A Nest will automate the process of heating your home, thereby saving you hundreds of dollars annually.
Saving on your heating bills is an imperative during the winter. Follow the four suggestions above to make sure that more of your money stays in your bank account.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
