It’s true that homeowners have little say over the cost of heating their homes, but there are steps they can take to reduce their energy consumption. And you won’t need to replace your windows or add extra insulation.
And the best part is that you can do these things without spending a fortune. In fact, some of them don’t cost you a dime but can end up saving you a ton of money in the long run.
So, without further ado, let’s have a look at 5 easy ways for reducing your home heating costs without sacrificing comfort this winter.
Ceiling Fans
This simple hack won’t cost you a dime if you already have ceiling fans, but it will do a world of good by keeping your home warmer and lowering your utility bills.
One of the most underutilized and misunderstood tools for temperature regulation is the ceiling fan. Most modern ceiling fans include motors that can run in both directions. Additionally, switching their rotation in the spring and fall is essential for optimum cooling and heating performance.
Summertime calls for a counterclockwise direction of the fan blades. By doing so, hot air is forced upward and out of the room. If you do this in the winter, the heat from the room below will be dissipated.
To prevent warm air from escaping through the ceiling in the winter, turn ceiling fans to a clockwise rotation. And they need not be operating at maximum capacity. If you want to force fresh air back down into the chamber, just turn slowly.
Using a ceiling fan is a cheap and easy solution to prevent heat loss. Keep in mind that it’s clockwise in the winter and counter-clockwise in the summer.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Buying a programmable thermostat is the smartest thing you can do if you want to cut down on your heating costs. This winter, you can cut your heating costs by 10-20% just by installing one. Not only does it help reduce the expense of heating and cooling in the winter, but it also does so in the summer.
Temperatures can be automatically lowered while you sleep or are away from home thanks to programmable thermostats. Saving money is easy when you don’t waste heat when it’s not needed.
How much? The Department of Energy reports that for every degree your thermostat is lowered for 8 hours, you can expect an annual savings of 1%. The money you save can quickly accumulate. The majority of programmable thermostats cost between $100 and $200; at that price, they can pay for themselves in as little as a month.
The majority of models are programmable for up to 7 days at a time. A family may plan for the week and the weekend with this 7-day cycle. A growing number of models may be controlled and customized straight from a mobile device.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat – Product Link And don’t be scared of setting up the system.
Most programmable thermostats may be set up in a matter of minutes, requiring only the removal of the old thermostat’s wires and the connection of new ones.
Caulking Window & Door Trim
Caulking the trim around windows and doors is one of the simplest and most underappreciated home maintenance tasks. One of the leading causes of drafts and heat loss during the winter is unfilled space around windows and doors. They can also be fixed without spending too much time or money.
This fall, go outside and apply a new bead of caulking to the frames of your windows. For best security, you should seal both the interior and external trim. Door sweeps should be put in on every exterior door you have. You’ll end up saving money by using them.
You may quickly and simply attach door sweeps to the bottom of your doors. Some can be attached by sliding or sticking, while others only need a couple of screws. They are a cheap technique to keep warm air in and cold air out. As a bonus, they prevent crawling insects from entering the house and help keep the floor warmer.
Check That Fireplace
It’s important to keep in mind that a fireplace, while useful for some, can be a significant heat loser for others. The fireplace is a major source of heat loss when it is not in use. Indeed, in some circumstances, even a partially exposed flue can be as inefficient as leaving a huge window open all winter.
In addition to providing a passageway for hot air to leave, a chimney can also serve as a draft, speeding the process along. Where do you start recouping your losses? First, when the fireplace is not in use, make sure the chimney is closed tightly. You can further reduce drafts from your fireplace by installing heat-resistant glass doors in front of it.
You should completely seal the chimney and flue if you don’t use the fireplace or if it’s broken. Insulate the space above and below the chimney flue to achieve this. The installation of a blower can assist in the distribution of the fireplace’s heat and make it more effective as a heating source for your home if you have one. A frontal breeze from even a tiny fan can do wonders for dispersing warm air.
Dress For Winter!
Finally, in your own house, you should dress for winter. Do you recall complaining to your parents about the chill in the air when you were a kid? What did they do in response? Once again, they were smart beyond their years!
Keeping the temperature in your home at 70 degrees or higher may be comfortable for wearing shorts, but it will cause your heating costs to soar. Keep in mind that you can save money by lowering the thermostat by even a few degrees.