For a lot of Americans, cold and freezing temperatures mean high energy bills to keep everything warm.
December marks the start of winter. For a lot of Americans, cold and freezing temperatures mean high energy bills to keep everything warm. Heating costs account for almost half of the average of most home’s energy costs. If you are concerned about the cost of your energy bill this winter, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more!
Set the Thermostat Lower
The easiest way to help save some money on your energy bill is just to lower the temperature in your house. But you do not need to make your home a polar bear habitat; setting the thermostat to just a couple of degrees cooler could result in serious long-term savings.
Close Doors and Vents of Unused Rooms
A lot of homeowners have a room or two that they hardly spend any time in. Guest rooms, storage rooms, guest rooms, basements, or your kid’s rooms while they are away are all great examples. If you are heating a room that nobody goes into, then you are wasting money and energy. Close up the vents and doors of all unused rooms. When you do have guests or your family back for the holidays, you can open the vents again for their stay.
Seal Any Air Leaks
Is your home feeling a bit drafty? Drafts are actually heat escaping from your house. Use caulk or other weather stripping to seal air leaks. Check the weather stripping and the seals around the windows and exterior doors if you think you are losing heated air. Winter air could also sneak into your home through electrical outlets, light fixtures, AC units, or gaps in your insulation. Make sure to check the basement and attic, as they usually hide the worst air leaks. Apply some fresh caulk to any broken seals and replace damaged and missing weather stripping. You might also have to install or replace insulation for bigger gaps.
Check Your Water Heater Temperature
Many people set their thermostats on their water heater too high, which is one reason why water heaters come after your heating and air conditioning as the top energy users in your home. Since water heaters are always turned on, turning down the temperature by just a couple of degrees could save you a lot of money in the long term. Unless you are in the habit of taking scalding-hot showers every day, you likely won’t even notice the difference.
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