Save money on heating bills without spending a dime
Although, most energy savings will result from spending some money, there are still ways we can knock off some money from our heating bill without spending a dime. Here are some easy absolutely no cost ways to bring down your home heating costs this winter.
1) Lower the temperature before you go to bed. Lowering your thermostat by 4-5 degrees before turning in can cut your heating bill by 10%.
2) Lower the temperature when you leave the house. Did you know that for every 1 degree you lower your thermostat you save 2% off your bill? If nobody is home, why not drop the temperature a couple of degrees!
3) Dress warm. Bundle up by wearing long sleeves, socks and slippers. Use a blanket when you’re watching TV or sitting on the couch. Also don’t forget to layer your bedding so you’re comfortable at night. If your body is warm you won’t mind the thermostat down a couple of notches.
4) Open Your Oven Door. After you’ve done cooking with your oven, don’t let the heat go to waste. Leave the door open just a bit and allow the heat to fill your rooms. After making supper, don't let the heat in your oven go to waste. Leave the door cracked open to allow the heat into the kitchen. This helps more than you realize.
5) Open the blinds and curtains. Let the Sun in. Take advantage of the sunlight during the day and open your blinds or curtains for any window that receives sunlight. Let the sun fill and warm your rooms. At night, close them so you trap in that free heat.
6) Dodge Drafts. Place rolled up bath towels under drafty doors to keep the cold out and the warm air in.
7) Remember the Dates. Remind yourself to replace the filters in your furnace once a month. Make a note of the dates on your calendars. Dirty filters cause your furnace to work harder and they also restrict the warm air from passing through and entering your rooms.
8) Close your windows. Don’t waste unnecessary energy through a window that’s not closed properly. A window left even slightly ajar, will create a draft and will cause all the warm air in the room to vanish.
9) Close Vents and Doors. Are there rooms in your house that you don’t use on a regular basis? If so, close the vents and the doors to those rooms. There’s no point in heating the guest room if there is nobody using it.
10) Don’t block heating vents. Keep furniture, rugs and curtains away from your vents so that warm air can flow without any interference.
11) Close the Fireplace Damper – If you have a wood fireplace prevent warm air from escaping through the chimney by closing the damper.
12) Give your HVAC system space. Your system will operate more efficiently if there is adequate space around it. Make sure there is nothing against it or covering it.
13) Dust and Clean. Keep your system from having to work hard by dusting all heating vents, baseboard heaters and radiators.
14) Move Furniture. For comfort and warmth, move any beds, sofas or chairs away from exterior walls. These walls are the coldest in the whole house.
Remember, every energy saving step you make, big or small, will lead to savings and more money in your pocket. Applying energy saving measures is not only good for our wallets but makes for a healthier planet too!
