Rather than suffering during the winter, there are simpler solutions to reduce your heating costs. Try these suggestions to maintain a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Click here for tips on keeping your boiler efficient.
Get a sense of your current energy use first. See what you can do to conserve more energy and reduce your monthly cost by comparing your energy usage to that of nearby homes that are comparable to yours. Get a customized analysis of your energy consumption by completing a free HomeCheck® Online evaluation.
Try the water first
Your energy consumption for heating water for showers, dishwashing, and laundry is about 18%. Reduce the temperature of your water heater to a warm 120 degrees to cut money and prevent scorching showers.
Set it right - According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by simply lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees when you are gone or asleep will help you save 10% a year on your heating costs. This procedure can be made simple with smart thermostats. Did you know that consumers in Illinois and Iowa can get a rebate on some smart thermostats?
Let it shine
On bright winter days, especially with windows on the south side of your home, keep curtains, shades, and blinds open. On chilly days, closed curtains also serve as insulation.
Keep it clear
Ensure that no furniture, carpets, draperies, or other items in your home are blocking your air registers or radiators. Additionally, remember to regularly clean or vacuum radiators and registers.
When you are away or asleep, you may reduce the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees to save around 10% on your heating costs annually. United States Department of Energy
Install ENERGY STAR® lighting and appliances in your house to make the perfect purchase. ENERGY STAR light bulbs outlast conventional incandescent bulbs by up to 25 times while using 75% less energy. When you finish the HomeCheck Online evaluation, residents of Illinois and Iowa can get ENERGY STAR light bulbs in a free energy efficiency package.
Use weather stripping and caulk to prevent drafts and seal air leaks at electrical outlets, chimneys, doors, windows, and other possible air leakage points as well as in the attic and basement. Keep the damper closed when not in use to stop warm air from escaping via the chimney.
Wrap it up
To stop heat loss and improve comfort, cover the inside or outside of your windows with transparent plastic sheets. The best option for the job is window wrap kits, which are readily accessible at your local hardware or home supply store.
Keep it up
To ensure that your heating system operates correctly and effectively, get it serviced once a year. Since unclean filters force the system to work harder and consume more energy than required, you should replace your furnace filters on a regular basis.
Make sure your home has enough insulation by rolling it out. The attic, external walls, floors, basement, and crawl spaces are all included in this. Make sure to insulate around furnaces or boiler pipes in unheated areas. R-value is a metric used to determine an insulating material's performance. To find out how much insulation your home needs, speak with a local insulation expert.
Put on your best outfit
Dress in warm clothing throughout the winter for the quickest method to warm yourself without increasing your heating costs. You can keep warm without ever turning on the thermostat by donning jeans, a sweater, and socks.
Upgrade your system
It could be time for an upgrade if your furnace is older or nearing the end of its intended lifespan. When you replace your old furnace with a new one, you can reduce your long-term heating costs since newer furnace systems are more energy-efficiently built.
As you can see, there are a number of simple steps that you can take that will allow you to enjoy winter without the worry of your home electrical bill.
