We are half way through winter but it feels like we have been under the snow blanket for more than only 2 months. Our heating bills reflect an exceptionally cold winter too. Although we cannot control the cold winter brings, we can control how we keep our homes warm against it. The following tips will help you keep from burning a hole in your pocket by staying warm for the rest of the winter.
Inspect your windows and doors for cracks and broken seals. Over time window and door frames can wear and cracks may develop. Drafts will result if cracks are not sealed with proper insulation. There are various ways of insulating your windows such as self-stick rubber weather sealers and plastic shrink film. Both products can be purchased from most retailers. Other ways to keep the draft out are heavy curtains or fabric draft snakes (placed on a window sill or under any doorway). These solutions can be simple to install but can have a dramatic effect on your heating bills.
Control where your heat is distributed within your home. If you want to direct heat mostly to the upper floor of your home magnetic heating vent covers, or register covers, can help you do this. You can tailor the path of heat within your home and improve the efficiency of your heater by simply covering the heating vent. Most retailers sell magnetic heating vent covers.
Programmed thermostats can save huge heating costs. By selecting a standard room temperature limit during the day and evening you can keep the heating bills down. Most people selectively lower the temperature in the evenings as you won’t need the heat under the blankets.
Check your home’s insulation. Without sufficient insulation, keeping colder temperatures out of your home will be difficult. This is especially true for older homes. There are ways to check to see if your home improperly insulated:
• Walls cold to touch
• Cold floors
• High heating costs
• Uneven heating within home, ex. one room is colder than another
• Mold growing on walls
Check your attic if you can access it to make a proper assessment or contact an appropriate expert. There are many types of insulation including fibreglass, spray-applied insulation and polyurethane. One is right for your home.
Let the sunshine in! Open your shades and curtains during the day to let the sunshine pour in. The warmth from the sun makes a huge difference in the temperature of your home. Plus, it’s free!
Use carpets and rugs to warm up a space. They can prevent heat loss through the floor and can cozy up any room.
Close the door on rooms you don’t usually use. By closing off rooms you don’t use often you allow the heat to circulate within a smaller area and ultimately save money on your energy bills.
By using some or all of these tips you’ll notice a difference in your monthly energy bills. That will make you feel warm and cozy inside too. For more tips on how to save energy costs for your home, visit the Ontario Ministry of Energy website. For more tips on how to keep costs down and how to stay within a budget, check our blog out at www.occa.ca/blog..
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