Though we all try to avoid the day for as long as we can, that day is on its way since it’s already October. The day we finally give in and have to turn on the heat. So, before that day comes you’ll want to know some tricks that can help you to lower your heating bill.
Here are 15 tips to help you cut the cost of your heating bill:
Bring in the Sun
Use the sunshine to help warm your home. You’ll want to make sure the blinds are up and your curtains are drawn, especially on your south-facing windows since they will allow the warmest afternoon sun to shine in. You can shut everything once the sun goes down to keep the warmth inside.
Check Your Furnace
Get your furnace checked to make sure it’s running efficiently and not gobbling up unnecessary electricity or fuel. You can also consider getting a thermostat that you can program to lower the heat output when everyone is asleep or away.
Get Your Water Heater a Jacket
You can insulate your water heater with a sleeve to prevent heat loss. It can save you about $20 a month.
Insulate Your Windows
Windows are the number one place where your home loses heat, so you’ll want to make sure they are properly insulated. If you don’t want to drop a lot of cash on this you can cut a piece of bubble wrap and fit it inside your window frame. Spray a thin film of water on the window and place the bubble wrap on your glass. The plastic will let the sunlight in and keep the warmth inside.
Prevent a Draft
Make sure you have draft stoppers on all the doors that lead outside. You can also use these on your drafty windows. You can find tutorials on 20 DIY door stoppers here.
Reverse Your Fan
If you switch your fan to spin in a clockwise manner it will create a slight updraft to push the warm air toward the walls and down into the room. Most fans have a tiny switch for this.
Limit Use of the Exhaust Fan
Your exhaust fan sucks up warm air and allows colder air to fill the space. So, you should make sure that the exhaust fan is only running when you’re taking a hot shower or need hot air removed from your space.
Air Leak Test
You can test your home for air leaks and gaps by holding some toilet paper in front of your windows door frames and other areas. If it moves, there’s a crack and you’ll need to seal it. You can use weatherstripping to fill these gaps in or use some foam insulation. There are also companies that have special equipment that can run heat loss checks for you. Check out the video below for some more tips on how to detect air leaks on your own.
Use Reflectors on Your Radiators
Place some aluminum foil behind your radiators so that the heat is reflected back into your room instead of being sucked by the wall or whatever is behind it.
Bundle Up
You can lower your heat a bit and bundle up with some sweatshirts and blankets to keep warm. You’ll definitely want to wear socks because if your feet are cold your whole body will feel cold.
Turn Down the Furnace and Use a Space Heater
You can turn your furnace down and use a space heater in areas where you and your family are occupying. Many of these news heaters are energy efficient and do a really got job of warming up a room.
Cover Windows and Patio Doors With Plastic
Windows can account for up to 25 percent of the heat loss in your home. You can save about 14 percent of that by covering your windows and patio doors with inexpensive clear plastic that is easy to install. It sticks to your walls and can be easily peeled off.
Prevent Heat Loss Through Your Chimney
Even if you close the flue, heat can still escape. You can purchase an inflatable chimney balloon to block the airflow in your chimney. They cost about $50 bucks but can save you $100 per year.
Insulate Your Attic Door
Even if your attic is well-insulated, warm air can escape out of the door hatch. You can use adhesive and attach fiberglass batt to the attic side of the door to prevent this.
Lock Windows and Doors
Locking your windows and door will make sure that they are tightly shut so that no cold air can get in and no hot air can get out.
Make Sure Heating Registers Are Clear
Make sure your registers aren’t blocked so that heat can freely flow into your room and the heat flow isn’t limited.
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