These 6 Hacks to Lower Your Home’s Heating Bill are quick and oh so easy! So if you want that bill to be a little bit lower each month… why not try implementing a few!
With winter comes the holiday season, prime sledding weather and, of course, a cozy home full of lights and warmth. However, keeping your house merry and warm often incurs more costly heating bills. This year keep your energy costs at a minimum with these six simple hacks.
1. Lower the Thermostat
It may seem a little obvious but lowering the thermostat just a few degrees can save you quite a bit of money over the winter. For each degree you turn down your heat between the 60- and 70-degree range, you can save up to 5% on your heating bill. You can even turn your heat off completely when leaving home for an extended period or while sleeping to stretch your dollars even further.
2. Cool Down the Water Heater
While you’re at it, you might as well turn down the water heater, too. On average, these appliances account for 17% of your home’s energy use. Start by turning the temperature down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. For every 10 degrees you lower the water temperature, you can save up to 5%. You can also save on your heating bill by putting a fitted cover on your water heater. Insulating the tank minimizes the need to heat the water inside.
3. Insulate
During the winter, cracks or gaps between windows and doors can cause heat to escape from your home and create cold drafts. You can blame these drafty areas for 7 to 12% of your home’s heat loss. Luckily, there’s an entire line of products made specifically to seal up these leaky gaps. Apply foam or rubber weather stripping or even caulk around windows and doors to insulate them. You should also add a layer of insulation to your attic as heat rises and easily escapes through your roof.
4. Check Pipes and Electrical Outlets
Drafty electrical outlets on outermost walls and cracks around pipes can also suck heat out of your home. If you discover a chilly outlet, remove the cover plate and fill in space around the electrical box using spray foam insulation or caulk, then cover the plate with an outlet insulator. Fill cracks around piping with the same kind of insulation to prevent cold air circulation. Be sure to check where pipes travel into unheated areas like an unfinished attic or basement.
5. Tap Into Other Heat Sources
There are more sources of heat in your home than your furnace. For instance, your oven and stovetop produce a great deal of heat while you cook. Of course, using these will increase your heating bill, but take full advantage of that heat by opening your oven while it cools down. You can also use the steam from your shower to heat your home by leaving the bathroom door open and keeping the ventilation fan off. Also, leave blinds of south-facing windows open to garner the heat of sunlight.
6. Bundle Up
Behold, the simplest way to save money and stay warm this winter: Put on more clothes! Don that sweater your grandma knitted you for Christmas and those new fuzzy socks, and bundle up in blankets. If you decide to turn the thermostat off while you’re home, consider wearing a hat and maybe even mittens as well to keep your head, ears and digits warm. By turning down your thermostat, sealing off your home from the winter winds and bundling up, you can effectively lower your home’s heat bill.
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Hacks To Lower Your Home’s Heating Bill
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