Don’t let your winter heating costs get you down
Sure, in the short walk from your heated car to your heated office the cold winter air may be refreshing, but I’m sure there are few among us who don’t appreciate the comfort of a well-heated house at the end of the day. I’ll also bet there are few among us whose energy bills don’t see some kind of spike in these winter months either. That part’s not so comforting.
But before you scramble to take up residence someplace more tropical, we’ve put together 6 tips to help keep your house warm and wallet happy this winter.
1. Go smart (with a smart/programmable thermostat)
Automatically control the temperature of your house when you’re working, sleeping, or otherwise occupied with a programmable thermostat, and you can save from 5 to 20% on your heating bill. No need to worry about remembering to turn your heat down when you leave the house–programmable thermostats take the hassle out of heating.
2. Get a system check up
Make sure your heating system is getting the maintenance it needs to stay healthy and energy-efficient. Don’t let grimy filters, insufficient lubrication, or poor adjustments affect your system’s energy use. The harder your system has to work, the more money it will use to run.
Schedule a no obligation service or maintenance appointment with us today!
3. Keep an eye on your fireplace
The crackle of a wood fire all winter long may sound romantic and cost-effective, but there are a couple things to keep in mind before getting cozy in front of hearth this season:
- Although it may feel warm right by the flame–fires exhaust over 20,000 cubic feet of heated air/hour–the other parts of your house get chilly when cold air is pulled in via the chimney.
- To help keep the heat in once the fire has gone out, you can use a glass cover in front of your fireplace.
- Close your flue when not in use. This keeps the warm air in, and the cold air out.
4. Conquer leaks
You’ve spent good money warming your house up, and chance are you’d like to keep it that way! If you have gaps in pipes, vents, attics, crawlspaces, or windows that can’t be tackled with a caulk gun, you may want to consider a professional walk-through to determine the next best steps. Not only will this help with retaining heat, but will also improve your indoor air quality when taken care of.
Request a free air sealing inspection
5. Layer up
Simple but effective. Turn down your thermostat a little, put on a sweater, and grab a mug of something hot: cocoa, tea, eggnog–we’re not judging. Try keeping your house just a little cooler and you can make a big difference in savings. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you can save up to 5 percent on heating costs.
6. Layer up (again)
Make sure your house has the right layers for winter by properly insulating your windows, walls, attic, crawl space, and wherever else your house may be vulnerable to the elements. Although we suggest having a professional come through and diagnose potential weak spots with a Home Performance Assessment, there are a couple DIY routes to take if you’d like to take a stab at performing an assessment yourself.
Looking for more advice on tackling winter? Contact Barron today and we can help you take the next steps towards your most comfortable, energy-efficient, and healthy home!