Heating your home during the winter can be expensive, so you want to do whatever you can to lower your bill. Here are five of the best ways to save on home heating.
Weatherproof your home
One of the main causes of high heating costs is energy-inefficiency in your home. If you have cracks and gaps around your windows, doors and chimney, it will allow cold air to get in and the warm air to get out. Before winter comes, make sure to seal up these cracks and gaps, which will help you save on your winter heating costs.
Lower the temperature
During the winter, the higher you keep your thermostat set, the more it is going to cost you to heat your home. If you drop your thermostat by just a degree or two, it will save you a significant amount of money and you will barely notice the difference. When you aren’t home or when you are sleeping, you can drop the temperature a few extra degrees to save even more money.
Take advantage of the sun
During the winter, any source of heat is one you should take advantage of, and though there isn’t a lot of sun, there should be enough to make a difference most days. To take advantage of the sun, open your curtains during the day, especially the on the south-facing windows. This will allow sunlight to help warm your home. Once the sun goes down, you should make sure to close all curtains to help insulate against the cold.
Take care of your furnace
A furnace that is well maintained and is serviced regularly will operate more efficiently, which will lower your heating bills. Make sure to change your filter every three months. Also, have your furnace serviced by a professional at least once a year, say the experts at South West Plumbing. You also should have your ducts inspected and cleaned if necessary.
Add insulation
If you don’t mind spending some money to save money, you can boost your home’s insulation. Start in your attic, which is where many homes lack enough insulation. You also may want to have more insulation added to exterior walls as well. Adding insulation can cost anywhere from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, but it will cut your heating bills by 20 to 30 percent.
High heating bills aren’t something you have to put up with, and these are just a few of the ways you can ensure you don’t pay more than you need to.
Author Bio: Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO and often writes about home, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing.