Jan
1
Tips for keeping your heating bill down!
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One of the best things to do to keep your heating bill down, is to replace any old windows. This can be costly though, and you may want to talk to a mortgage broker about using some of your homes equity to pay for the replacement windows. If the windows do not need to be replaced then you should consider some sort of weather stripping. It would be in your best interest to use weather stripping on all windows and doors, to prevent heat loss.
You may also want to increase the thickness in your attic insulation. Check doors for proper seal on the weather stripping and replace where needed. Any direct cracks or wholes to the outside will allow your heat to be depleted rapidly.
Another good tip to keep your heating bill down is to install an electronic thermostat. With the electronic thermostat it is easier to see what the exact temperature is set at. So when you leave the house you can turn down the heat by 10 degrees, and then turn it back up when you come home. Knowing how to use your thermostat efficiently can help you cut down on your heat bill.
When you go on vacation turn the thermostat off.
A great and inexpensive way to control your heating bill is with a programmable thermostat. Good ones are available from any home improvement store and are under $50. Most homeowners are able to install them on their own. This type of thermostat will allow you to only heat your home at the times that you need it. You set the programs to lower the heat at the times when you are not home or bundled up sleeping in bed. The programs can always be overridden to accommodate any changes in you schedule.
Not only is replacing those old windows a great investment for your health it actually can improve value on your home. Dual Pane windows is actually one of the Top 10 best Return on Investment for a Homeowner to add to the structure of the home.
Using the equity in your home is a quick and cost effective way to upgrade those windows. You will be able to write the interest off on your taxes, increase the value of your home, and keep that extra cash in your bank account. Talk to your mortgage broker before using other forms of credit to replace those windows, it can save you thousands of dollars in interest.
With the rising cost of heating oil and gas, it is increasingly important to think about improving the thermal efficiency of your home. Refinancing your mortgage or obtaining a secured line of credit from us to make such home improvements as window and door upgrades, roofing upgrades, or upgrading your heating system can be an excellent alternative to getting deep into credit card debt and paying double digit interest rates on your improvements. Poorly performing financing can negate any of the cost savings associated with the omen improvements, and eat into long term ROI (return on investment).
Cover the air conditioning unit that is outside your home. There are differing opinions on if this actually helps, but basically it is connected to your duct work and it does allow air flow from outside. So spend the money on a cover for it, or go the cheep route and use a plastic tarp and some duct tape.
Additional insulation in your attic can help. This can be an easy “do it your self” job if you get the proper tools and use the recommended safety equipment.
Always have your Boiler / Burner checked by a Professional. Also have them clean it at least twice a year. A small buildup of soot or dirt can cause at least a 10 - 15% decrease in efficiency, resulting in higher fuel bills.
When was the last time you checked your filter? All most all heating systems have filters that need to be changed on a regular basis. If your filter has not been changed recently it could be causing poor air flow through your duct work, and decreasing the efficiency of your heater.
Adding a 3M window film over older windows will dramatically help your heating bill by helping to block heat loss through old glass. You can also keep your thermostat set to 68 degrees, The 2 degree lower temperature can actually save you money on your heating bill. Also check the weather seal at the bottom of all exit doors. If the seal is bad then cold easily enters your home.
Shut off radiator valves in rooms that your family members do not or seldom use, but make sure those rooms do not have water pipes running behind the walls, as frozen pipes can explode and create costly problems. Heating a room which no one uses is wasteful. Also, close the doors of all the rooms. It is more efficient to heat an enclosed space than a large area.
If you live in an older home, or have unusually high heating bills, you can call in an Energy Expert. They will audit your heating system and take infrared photos of your home. These photos are the most accurate way to identify where your home is losing heat.
Jan
1
High efficient homes are homes that run on less energy. The more efficient your home is, the more money you will save on your monthly bills. There are several things that you can do to make your home more efficient.
Think about replacing your old single pane windows with new energy efficient designs. Also, if you have had your heating and cooling system for awhile you should get a consultation on how a new system can save you money on your utility bills.
Ceiling fans can save energy in both the summer and winter. In the summer, fan blades should revolve in a counterclockwise direction. Since moving air feels cooler, using ceiling fans in the summer allows you to raise the thermostat temperature, reducing the workload of your air conditioner. Air conditioners use considerably more energy than ceiling fans.
Use heat-generating appliances such as washers, dryers or ovens during the cooler hours of the morning or evening. This reduces the load on your air conditioner in the summer, and actually helps heat the house in the winter.
Showers usually require less hot water than baths. Additional savings can be realized by installing simple water-saving shower heads. This will reduce water consumption, which is good for everyone. The primary benefit is lower heating bills brought about by using less energy to heat less water.
An inexpensive method of weatherizing windows involves attaching thin, clear plastic film to the window trim inside of the house using two-sided tape. The film is then stretched tight using heat from a blow dryer to remove wrinkles and creases.
Replacing your home electronics with energy star models, this will save you some money on your electricity bills as these products use less energy.
Something as simple as setting the thermostat to 68 in the winter and 72 in the summer can help save money on energy bills each month. Along with the conservative thermostat settings you should also use a high efficiency furnace filter and make sure to clean the filter or replace at the specified intervals.
Try not to leave your bathroom fans running longer than necessary. Although they don’t use a lot of electricity, they will pull the air out of your home. During the winter, this can let a lot of heat out.
Installing an electric or gas tank less water heater can help to make your house more efficient. Some benefits of a gas and electric tank less water heater are: Endless hot water, Small, compact, and powerful, 95% efficiency rating, reduced electricity costs, energy and fuel savings, heats water only when needed and a substantial amount of space savings.
Heat lost through windows and doors represents a significant chunk of most heating bills. You can help prevent this by covering your windows and sealing your doors. Remove and replace damaged caulk and weather-stripping. Self-stick foam and rolled rubber weather-stripping are easy to install, and can contribute greatly to your home’s efficiency.
Using newer appliances such as high efficiency clothes washers which use 30-50 percent less water, 50-60 percent less energy and require, and one third the detergent than standard washers will save you both in your water and electric bill. Your clothes will suffer less wear and tear and will require less time in the dryer to boot. High efficiency dishwashers use 6-10 gallons of water per load and some will use even less, compared to traditional dishwashers that use 10-12 gallons per load. You will save both time and money with not having to pre-rinse as these newer models are much better with cleaning your dishes.
If all of this sounds like a foreign language to you, contact your local power company. They will have an energy audit program, where they can assist in evaluating your energy demands and make suggestions to conserve usage, based on your specific home.
Programmable thermostats help reduce energy costs by lowering energy use during those times when you do not need it. In the winter, for example, your house does not need to be quite as warm when you are away at work, nor does it need to be as warm when you are asleep in bed. A programmable thermostat can tell your home’s heating system to gear up for your arrival after work, or to knock off a bit until an hour or so before you get up in the morning.
Installing high efficient lighting in your home can save you a couple of hundred dollars, in the first year alone. The light bulbs last longer, and provide the same amount of light while using a fraction of the wattage. If you are interested in other ways that high efficient lighting can improve your home there is a lighting fact sheet available at: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC)P.O. Box 3048Merrifield, VA 221161-800-DOE-EREC (1-800-363-3732)