One of the biggest struggles in the colder months is how to heat your home efficiently. If you want to have reasonable utility bills, there are some things you need to understand and actions you need to take. By spending the time to make some home upgrades, you can keep your home warmer for less. Here are 5 ways.
Program Your Thermostat to Heat Your Home Efficiently
If you want to heat your home efficiently, you should start with programming your thermostat. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, it’s a good idea to install one.
This means that you can set the indoor temperature to adjust based on your routine schedule. So, if no one is home during the day, you can keep the house at a lower temperature and then set it to come on before someone is scheduled to get home. This will save you money on your utility bills because you will not be heating an empty house.
Weatherstripping Doors and Windows
If you seal all your doors and windows, you can help prevent the heat from escaping and the cold air from entering. This, of course, will determine how often your heat comes on. So, if you can keep the temperature stable in your home and retain the heat, your heater will not have to run as often.
Weatherstripping will help you heat your home efficiently. To weatherstrip your windows and doors, you can buy strips at your local store that can be cut to specific lengths. They are usually adhesive, so you just have to peel off the paper and stick it to the surface.
Install New Windows
If you have an older house and you have the financial means, getting ENERGY STAR®-certified windows can save you money on your utility bills. If you want to heat your home efficiently, new windows will have tighter seals to help keep the cold air out. Just like weatherstripping, it will prevent your heater from constantly trying to maintain a warm temperature while cold air is seeping in through drafts.
Seal Ductwork
Every place that ducts are joined together creates an opportunity for air to escape. This means that if there are 30 connections, there are 30 seals that can leak air. When the system leaks air, it reduces the volume of air being sent throughout the house.
When the force and volume are reduced, the air might not be able to get to another floor or a further location in your home. Fortunately, there are pastes or cement that you can paint onto the seams to seal them and prevent any more air from escaping. This needs to be done when the system is not in use, so you might have to wait until the spring to get it done.
If you perform any of these tasks, you’ll notice savings on your energy bill. Some require a large investment, like getting new windows, while other measures require mainly time and effort. Whatever you decide to do, you will save money when you choose to heat your home efficiently.
H&I Home Inspections serves the Denver Metro with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.