Every homeowner wants to save money where they can. And when you’re looking at your energy bill in disbelief at the amount due, you’re probably asking what you can do to cut back on this large expenditure each month.
Fortunately, there are many simple changes you can make in your home which could help you depend on your heating system less to keep your family warm and cozy. Using your furnace less means decreased energy bills.
Tips for decreasing your energy use
Check out these helpful tips for decreasing your dependency on your heating system so that you can save money on utility bills from month-to-month.
Seal your windows and doors
Your window and door frames, if not properly sealed, could be letting in a lot of cold air. And in turn, they could also be letting a lot of warm air out. When this happens, you may feel a draft whenever you pass by your exterior doors or windows. To take care of this problem, reseal your frames both inside and outside your home to be sure there aren’t any areas of air loss.
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan
In the summer, you had your ceiling fan spin in a counter-clockwise direction (as you look up at it) to help with pushing cool, conditioned air back down on your family. During the colder months of the year, reverse the direction of the fan’s blades so that they spin in a clockwise direction at a low speed. This will help to draw room air up and move gathering warm air out and down into your living space.
Add insulation where necessary
Check your attic insulation to be sure you have enough where it matters most. Without enough, heat from your furnace will rise and escape through your attic/roof area. Not sure how much insulation you need to add, or what R-value is right for your family’s needs? Contact an insulation professional.
Open your curtains
On sunny days, keep your window blinds and curtains open during the day to let in as much natural sunlight as possible to warm your home. You’d be amazed at how much warmer your home will feel by making this simple change to your day-to-day life!
Use floor rugs
There’s nothing more unpleasant than waking up on a chilly morning and putting your feet down on a cold, uncomfortable floor. In rooms without carpet, add large floor rugs. In your hallways and smaller spaces, add runners. Rugs act as a great insulating layer between the floor and your feet!
One last tip!
Schedule routine maintenance each year for your home’s heating system. Annual tune-ups will help your system to run more efficiently and can, in turn, help to decrease your monthly energy bills.