Many families are understandably nervous heading into this winter season. It’s a tough economic time and many people are worried about keeping their jobs and also keeping up with rising costs. However there are few cheap, or free, actions you can take to cut your energy bills.
Here are just a few easy, yet effective, changes you can start making today.
- Make sure your furnace is ready for the winter ahead. Arrange to have a qualified HVAC professional check and clean your heating unit. Once you start operating your heating unit regularly make sure that you change your filters monthly. If the filter becomes dirty it will restrict the airflow making the heating unit use more energy as it has to work harder.
- Add a programmable thermostat, so that you can set it to automatically adjust the temperature settings at certain times of the day and certain days of the week. This way the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when no one is home, or at night when everyone is under covers. It can also raise the temperature shortly before you get out of bed in the mornings.
- Maintain your fireplace. Make sure the chimney is cleaned, in good repair and clear of any obstructions. If you use your fireplace more than once a week you should have it professionally cleaned every year. It is also prudent to install a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to prevent birds from building nests.
- Seal around your windows and doors. The more heat loss you can prevent the less your furnace will have to work, and that will save you money all season long. Window kits are another way to help prevent heat loss from older windows. Glass is a big conductor of heat, so it is always helpful to have some heavy drapes across the windows to minimise the heat loss through the windows.
- Try some wind power on a small scale, (think home windmill) along with the above winterizing tips and you will be ahead of the game in cutting your long term heating and electric bills.
Now is the best time to make some simple changes to help you cut your energy bills this winter. Take a few minutes now to save hundreds not only this winter but throughout the rest of the year and for years to come.
