5 Tips To Save On Energy & Cut Your Heating Costs This Winter
How to reduce your gas and electricity bill is a seemingly never-ending battle for us in Central Ontario. Blazing hot summers make your electricity bills skyrocket, while frigid winters drive up the cost to heat a home in the winter months. Here are X ways save on energy when heating your home this winter.
Lower Your Thermostat Setting
A quick and easy way to save on energy costs during the winter months is to lower your thermostat by a couple of degrees. You’ll acclimate quickly to the change in temp and this will drive-down your natural gas usage long-term, as it takes less energy to heat your home to a more neutral temperature.
You can layer on the savings by upgrading to a programmable thermostat and setting the temperature for even lower when you will be away for long periods of time. There is also a handy vacation mode on most thermostats that will keep the temp high enough to prevent any pipes from freezing, but low enough to save you a substantial amount of money while you’re away.
Layers, Layers, Layers
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the tip above. As you lower your thermostat temperature, you may need to up the layers. Lucky for you, the cozy look is in this winter Adding an extra blanket to your bed and living spaces and investing in cozy slippers and area rugs can help to keep you comfortable with a lower internal temp.
Out With The Old & In With The New
Old, under-performing furnaces can be your energy bill’s worst nightmare. If your furnace has seen better days, it may be time for an upgrade. While spending money might seem a little counter-intuitive, installing a new unit that boasts energy efficiency can actually save you money over the long haul.
Additionally, having your ducts cleaned every few years and replacing your furnace filter every season will aide in the performance of your home heating system. Plus, it will also improve the air quality in your home which is a win-win.
Have A Home Energy Audit Completed
You may think your home is well-insulated and airtight but a home energy audit might prove you wrong. Essentially a home energy audit will show you the area of your home that is contributing to energy loss, thus driving up the costs of your utility bills. Once complete, you’ll be able to identify and act on things like adding insulation to your attic, sealing the casing around your windows and more. Before you order one up, make sure to check into energy efficiency grants offered by the government or utility company as you may be eligible for a rebate by participating in an audit.
Use Nature To Your Advantage
A lot of people will keep their curtains blinds closed during the winter to act as additional insulation but it may be beneficial to open them up. On the next sunny winter day, try keeping your curtains open to let the natural light in. The sunlight will serve as a secondary heating source and help to warm your home. Be sure to close the curtains back up at night though so you can keep the heat in.
When it comes to home heating costs, many small steps can serve to save energy and money. Try this tips and let us know how you make out.