5 Ways to Save Money on Your Heating Bill
If you live anywhere that’s subject to chilly winter temperatures, your heating costs can be sky-high. The average U.S. household spends over $2,000 a year on utility bills, with a significant part of that cost going to heat homes, especially for those residing in more northern climates. If you dread opening that envelope during the winter, consider these ways to save money on your heating bill.
Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat allows homeowners to automate the temperature in their homes. It’s one of the best inexpensive devices to help you save on your heating bill and they’re not only easy to install, but they can be controlled right from your smartphone. A typical U.S. household can reduce heating costs by as much as 10 percent simply by adjusting the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from the typical set point for eight hours each day. These gadgets are able to learn the patterns in the household and then adjust heating (and cooling) according to when residents are occupying it, or about to, in order to lower the heat when no one is there.
Get Your Furnace Checked Out
If your heating bill is higher than you expected it to be during the colder months, it could be due to a faulty furnace. Furnaces should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure they’re in good working condition for safety reasons and to avoid paying a lot more than you should for heating. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of the thermostat not being set properly, or it may be a dirty filter causing it to work harder than it should. Call in a furnace service to get yours checked out and there’s a good chance you’ll save money that you might have been virtually throwing away.
Consider an Alternative Heating Source
There are a number of alternative heating sources available today that could save you big, like passive solar heating which uses the free heat from the sun – it’s renewable and constant. You might also want to think about planting deciduous trees that will allow the sun in to warm your home in the winter and keep it out in the summer so it stays cooler.
Another option is to install a wood stove – you’ll have to pay for the wood, but overall, it’s likely to save you quite a bit on that heating bill. Keep in mind that older, used wood stoves produce pollution and reduce air quality, but the newer, EPA-certified models are typically 30 percent more efficient and emit 90 percent less smoke.
Limit Hot Water Use
Hot water is another big factor in the total you’ll see on that energy bill, so you’ll want to limit its use too. Lower the temperature on your water heater – if it’s at 140 degrees, which most are, lowering it to 120 degrees can save you up to 10 percent on heating your water. Use cold water to wash clothes whenever possible, and replace a standard showered with one that’s more efficient – look for a shower head labeled WaterSense, which means it is certified to meet EPA efficiency standards.
Seal Leaking Windows and Doors
Leaking windows and doors mean heat loss and higher heating bills. Fortunately, this is a fairly easy fix. Seal up all drafts using weather stripping to apply along door frames and windows to create a tight seal. A rolled-up blanket or towel can do the trick too.
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