Tips on how to save money on your heating bill this winter
Is there a better feeling than cozying up by the fire, or turning up the thermostat and settling in for a warm evening on the couch?
Well, that coziness can come at a high price thanks to your energy bill. Thankfully, you can stay warm and comfortable in your home without breaking the bank. Here’s how you can save money on energy this winter:
Open the curtains on a sunny day
If it’s a nice day outside and the sun is streaming into your home, why not take advantage of that sun and heat? Open up the curtains or lift the blinds to let the sun naturally heat your home.
When the sun goes down, close them to keep the cool air out and prevent the warm air from escaping through the windows.
Maintain your home’s heating system
The last thing any homeowner wants is for the furnace to break down on what might feel like the coldest day of the year. That’s why we recommend having your furnace inspected on an annual basis. This will ensure the heating system is operating efficiently. Furnace experts can identify any problems with the unit, thus repairing them before the problem becomes costly and the furnace is deemed ineffective. Be mindful of other maintenance tasks required to keep your furnace in proper working order. That includes changing the furnace filters every three to four months. A clogged filter prevents the furnace from reaching a desired temperature in an efficient manner.
Replace weatherstripping around doors and windows
If the weatherstripping around your home’s doors and windows is worn and torn, it’s time to replace it. A large proportion of heat loss occurs around windows and doors. As a result, homeowners are often turning up the heat on the thermostat because the house is never warm enough.
Replace the weatherstripping every three years to minimize air leakage around your home. Since your furnace won’t have to work as hard, you can enjoy savings on your next energy bill.
Adjust the thermostat – and consider purchasing a programmable one
It’s amazing how a few degrees can make a huge difference. When you’re at home, adjust the thermostat to a low temperature that you’re comfortable with. When you go to bed, simply adjust the thermostat several degrees (five to 10 is a good start). Feeling the chill? Place a throw blanket over the bed, or wear a sweater. Since the thermostat will be running at a much lower temperature overnight, you can save up to 10 per cent a year on your heating bills.
Want to save even more money? A programmable thermostat will pay for itself with the savings you achieve. That’s because you can program the thermostat to remain at a low temperature during the day when no one is home. Instead of coming home to a cold house, you can adjust the temperature to increase before you arrive home. It gives your furnace time to warm up, and you can come home to a cozy space.
Heat the rooms you’re using – not the entire house
Why waste energy heating your entire home when you’re only occupying a few rooms? This is where a programmable thermostat will come in handy – it will allow you to control the temperature in specific rooms, preventing a waste of energy in the rooms that aren’t being used.
Keep the air vents in every room open
This is a common misconception among homeowners – closing the air vents in rooms that aren’t occupied will minimize wasted energy. However, closing the air registers means the furnace has nowhere to transfer the warm air. It can cause damage to your home’s air ducts, or even the furnace itself.
Remember, heating your home is a necessity, but it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. Making these tasks a priority, such as managing the thermostat, replacing the weatherstripping and conducting routine maintenance on your furnace, can protect your furnace and ensure its longevity this winter.
