Nobody likes spending a lot of money on heating. After all, there are a lot of things you want to do, so those dollars can always be spent on something a little more interesting. However, most homeowners don’t really know what they can do that will help.
If this is you, don’t worry. You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to keep your home warm and your family cozy this winter. No matter how big your home and how efficient your furnace, here are some good ways to save money on energy.
Manage Your Thermostat
Most people want to wake up warm, so they keep the temperature inside their house up all night. However, this doesn’t save money. Instead, get a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one. If you’ve got one, start using it.
The ideal temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 65 degrees, which is a lot cooler than most people keep their houses overnight. Program your thermostat to go down overnight, so it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house warm when you don’t need it. Then, program it to warm back up just before you get out of bed.
You can also save money by turning your thermostat down when you’re not home. If there’s nobody in the house all day, while you’re at work and your kids are at school, program the thermostat lower. Once again, tell it to heat things up right before everyone gets home. You’ll save on energy and still be comfortable at home.
Insulate Your Windows
Your home loses heat and lets in cold air through drafts in and around your windows. If you don’t have double or triple paned windows, consider installing them. However, windows can be expensive and not everyone will choose to invest in their home that way.
Even if you don’t get new windows, though, you can always insulate the ones you already have. Most home repair stores sell window kits. These have a film that will stick to your windows and help keep cold air out. It takes a bit of work to figure out how to put the film on, but after that you will lose less energy that way.
Finally, be sure to fill or cover any cracks. Sometimes, you can feel cold air coming in around your windows even though you can’t see a crack or anything else. Fill in the gaps with caulk, or place a blanket or insulating tape around the place where your window meets your wall, until you can’t feel the cold air anymore.
Get a New Furnace
If your furnace is old, it’s probably not working efficiently. It surprises many homeowners that they can save money on energy simply by installing a more efficient furnace. If you’re interested, call us today. We’ll help you find the right furnace for your home and get it in, so you can start saving today!
