Updating your home is an achievable and straightforward process. Updates will decrease your expenses, increase your ability to save, and improve the overall value of your home.
Some new updates can specifically target lowering your heating bill. Here are five ways that you can reduce your heating bill by updating your home:
1. Insulate Everything
Houses that are properly insulated don’t need as much heating as those with “leaks.” If your home isn’t sealed well, the heat you’re generating inside will leak out.
Your heating bill will go down once you stop trying to heat up the outdoors! A few areas tend to be the primary culprits for air leaks inside homes:
Doors
Windows
Walls
Fireplaces
Uninsulated walls
Power outlets
Inspect these areas of your home for drafts. Can you feel air coming through your doorframe? Is the air warmer or cooler near your fireplace than in the rest of the room? If so, you can address these air leaks to improve the insulation of your home.
2. Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances
Water heating accounts for 13% of the average American homeowner’s heating bill. Usually, families use hot water for their sinks, laundry, showers, and dishwasher.
To cut your energy use even further, consider replacing your hot water heater, clothes washer, and dishwasher with more energy-efficient appliances. Buying an energy-efficient fridge or freezer can also help since cold air in your home increases heating usage and costs during the winter months.
Of course, you can also change your habits and start taking shorter showers and washing clothes in cooler water to save on your heating bill.
3. Invest in a New Roof
Roofing is another part of your home that directly affects your energy usage. In addition to protecting your family from the elements, your roof insulates your home and reflects excess heat.
Consider updating your roofing to ensure the highest level of energy efficiency from this part of your home. Look at different types of roofs and choose the one that will best fit your location and needs and the aesthetic of your house.
Tile roofs in particular are incredibly energy-efficient. Made of natural materials, they reduce the transfer of heat between attic spaces and outdoor air, maintaining the temperature of your home across varying seasons.
4. Update Your Heating System
If your internal heating system is over 15 years old, you should probably replace it. There are many options to choose from, so it should be easy to find the energy system that works best for you and your home.
Homeowners frequently lose energy through poorly insulated heating ducts connected to their heating system. These ducts should especially be insulated when they run through uninsulated walls. Dusty furnace filters can also add to “leakage” and increase energy output.
Newer heating systems are more energy-efficient than their older counterparts. In combination with insulated heating ducts and an updated thermostat, they can significantly reduce energy requirements in your home.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat
In temperate climates, homeowners typically turn their thermostat down in the summer when their home is naturally heated and then turn it up in the winter.
Programming your thermostat to turn down overnight and while you’re away from home is another way to reduce your heating bill. Being proactive with your thermostat can have a significant impact on taking down your annual energy costs.
Smart thermostats are especially effective because they reduce the likelihood of human forgetfulness and inconsistency. With a smart thermostat in place, you won’t have to think about saving energy. Your thermostat will do it for you.
Heat for Less
You can significantly reduce your heating bill with just a few simple updates to your home. While these updates will require a higher investment in the short term, you’ll see the rewards in lower heating bills over the long haul. Follow these five tips, and you’ll soon be living in your most energy-efficient home ever!
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!
