Taming Those Beastly Winter Heating Bills

The season of hot cocoa, twinkling lights and holiday cheer is quickly approaching, and while that may evoke fond childhood memories, it also means cold temperatures and, thus, an increase in your monthly utility bills. The good news is that there are several things you can do to help lower your winter heating costs, while keeping your home warm and snug at the same time. By taking the steps now to winterize your home, you’ll have more time and money to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.

Tips for Reducing Winter Heating Costs

• Get your heating system serviced. An annual maintenance visit will make it run better, which will help prevent any major repair work from being necessary.
• Seal airs leaks to avoid conditioned air escaping outdoors, and cold outside air from coming in. Use weatherstripping or caulk around doors and windows.
• Insulate your attic, crawlspaces, basement, walls and ceilings to keep as much heat indoors as possible.
• Get a programmable thermostat and set it to lower temperatures during the hours you’re sleeping and when you’re at work.
• Install storm windows and doors to prevent chilly drafts.
• Add an insulating jacket or blanket to your older water heater. Newer models usually come with the tanks already insulated internally. If it’s time for you to replace your water heater, consider getting a tankless water-heating system.
• Improve your home’s airflow and make your system more efficient by making sure furniture, drapes or rugs are not placed in front of or on top of any vents and grilles, and replacing air filters monthly (or whenever they look dirty).
• Use energy-efficient appliances, thermo-pane windows, low-flow, aerating showerheads and faucets, compact fluorescent lights and other energy-saving products whenever possible.
• Open blinds and curtains during the day to allow solar heat inside to warm your home, and close them at night to help trap the heat in.
• Close the damper on your fireplace and seal the opening closed when you’re not using it.

Set the temperature of your water heater to 125 degrees or less. At Sobieski Services, our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

Image Credit: The Itsy Bitsy Spider