Heating costs during fall and winter can run into the thousands for many households. Luckily, there are many ways to slash your energy usage during the cold months, ranging from big ticket investments to small changes in your behavior.
Here are WhiteFence's top tips to cut your heating bills this fall and winter:
- Fix Leaks - One of the easiest ways to cut your heating costs is to stop your newly-heated air from escaping. Check for gaps around windows and doors and seal any leaks you find with caulking. You can also caulk around electrical sockets, switches and any gaps cut for pipes for maximum protection.
- Lower the Thermostat - It's basic stuff, but even lowering the temperature in your house one degree can add up big at the end of the winter. Get it as cold as you can stand and double up on blankets!
- Upgrade Your Insulation - Upgrading to modern insulation is one of the most effective ways to make your heating system more efficient. You'll have to pay out a decent amount this year, but it will pay for itself quickly and keep you saving for years to come.
- Cover Your Windows - Curtains are are a time-tested way to keep heat in and the cold out.
- Switch to ENERGY STAR - If you live in an older home, chances are your furnace and other appliances are pretty old, too. Upgrading to units with the ENERGY STAR seal of approval ensures your system has efficiency in mind.
- Take Advantage of Old School Solar Power - Open the curtains on your windows that face south during the day to let the sun do it's thing and help heat your home for free.
- Fix Your Ducting - Many home heating systems lose up to 20% of their heat through ducting leaks. By making sure all ducts are joined properly, you'll cut waste big time. Plus, duct tape is cheap!
- Lower Your Energy Costs - Reducing your usage is one part of the equation, lowering what you pay for energy is the other. WhiteFence lets you shop natural gas and electricity providers and plans, making finding better energy deals a snap
- Change Your Furnace Filter - Your furnace will have to work harder to heat your home if your filter is blocked. Replacing it with a fresh one is a cheap and easy way to boost efficiency.
- Go Programmable - You can manually adjust your thermostat 10% when you leave the house, but it will be chilly again when you return. The best way to manage your temperatures is to invest in a programmable thermostat that automatically turns your heat on and off at the right times, which can save you up to 10% on your heating costs.
- Get a Furnace Checkup - When was your last heating system checkup? If you can't remember, that's a bad sign. Schedule a checkup with a local HVAC company to make sure your system is working with maximum efficiency
These tips should help you slash your heating costs this fall and winter. Don't forget to shop for electricity and natural gas deals here on WhiteFence for maximum savings. Just enter your address on this page and start shopping now!
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