Keeping your home warm and comfortable can be expensive during winter. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to significantly reduce heating costs and still manage to stay cozy. Use these five tips to save on energy bills.
1. Reduce Heating Costs by Using the Sun
The warmth from the sun will naturally heat up your home. Keep your blinds open during the day to let the sunlight in and close them at night to prevent the warm air from escaping. This will help to lower your monthly heating bill by taking advantage of the radiant heat from the sun.
2. Use the Ceiling Fans
During the cold months, use your ceiling fans to better distribute warm air throughout your living areas. Run the fans in reverse, with the blades rotating clockwise so the warm air near the ceiling is circulated down into the room. Keep the ceiling fans on the lowest setting to avoid creating a wind-chill effect in the space.
3. Wear Warm Clothing to Lower Your Heating Costs
When the weather is cold outside, bundle up in warm layers of clothing. Encourage family members to wear appropriate clothes inside the house. You’ll be far more comfortable and warm indoors wearing thick sweaters and socks than in a t-shirt and shorts. Everyone dressing warmly will help you save on your heating bill while staying cozy inside your home.
4. Lower the Thermostat
Lowering your thermostat can help to reduce your heating costs. When you are away from home, turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees. Also, before you go to bed at night, adjust the thermostat to a lower setting.
If you don’t want the trouble of having to adjust the thermostat regularly, invest in a programmable thermostat. You can easily set a schedule based on whether people are at home or away, and program different temperatures for daytime versus night.
5. Close Off Unused Rooms
Rooms that aren’t used, like a guest bedroom or library, can be closed off during the winter. It’s not necessary to heat them. You may want to seal the vents in these rooms so the HVAC system isn’t working to heat them. Keep the doors closed to prevent cold air from these areas from affecting the temperature in the rest of your home.
Heating your home can be costly. However, if you use the above tips and strategies, you will be able to reduce your monthly heating costs while still staying warm indoors.
Esham Inspections provides inspections for homebuyers in Maryland and Delaware. Contact us to schedule our services.