5 Ways To Save On Home Heating This Winter

Heating your home in the winter months is often more expensive than it needs to be. Homes that are not prepared for the cold weather will waste energy and money, but you can take steps now to make your home more energy efficient. You can save money while keeping the temperature indoors at a very comfortable level. Here are 5 ways to save on home heating this winter:

1. Make Sure You Weatherproof Your Home

Cracks and gaps around your doors, windows and chimney will allow warm air to escape and cold air to get in. Purchase a sealant at your local hardware store that is made for sealing these openings. Make sure the sealant is formulated to withstand exposure to the outside air. Sealants will go along way toward saving energy and keeping your home more comfortable. Also check the thresholds of the doors to make sure there is no air gap. Usually, there are adjusting screws to raise the threshold. Check the weatherstripping around the doors to make sure it is not worn. Another energy saving step is buying an inflatable balloon device to prevent warm air from escaping through your chimney.

2. Set The Thermostat At A Lower Temperature

By just setting your thermostat one or two degrees lower, you will save a significant amount of money. Consider lowering the temperature more than a few degrees for the period of time when you are not home or even when you are sleeping. You can always add an extra blanket. Installing a programmable thermostat which can be set to lower the temperature when you leave for the day and to raise the temperature just before you come back home. It can also be programmed to make similar adjustments after you go to bed and just before you wake up.

3. Add More Insulation

Check the insulation in the attic. You may find that it is necessary to add more insulation. Insulation can be purchased in pre-cut sheets that only needs to be put between the rafters. You can take a sample of the attic insulation to an insulation supplier and ask for advice about what kind of additional insulation you need.

4. Maintain Your Furnace

The routine maintenance of your furnace will find the problems that can be fixed to make sure you are not wasting energy. Often, adjusting the burners or making sure the high limit switch is working will prevent the waste of energy. Fan belts should be tightened. These are just some of the furnace parts that determine how much energy the furnace uses.

5. Use The Heat Provided By The Sun

Open the drapes and blinds on the windows that get direct sunlight, so that you can take advantage of this free heat to warm your home.

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