With winter fast approaching, now is a great time to start thinking about how you can make your home more energy efficient. Winter can often be the most expensive time of the year for homeowners if they live in a part of the country that gets harsh winters and severe weather. Rather than spend the usual amount on energy this winter, here are some ways you can improve the energy efficiency in your home.
Seal Up Leaks and Cracks
This should be the first step in winter-proofing your house. Looking for any leaks and cracks around doors and windows will prevent heat loss during the winter. Heat loss and drafts mean your furnace has to work much harder to keep your home comfortable and at a consistent temperature.
Keep Window Coverings Open During the Day
It’s also wise to take advantage of the daylight hours, allowing the sun to pour in windows as much as possible. Pull back your window coverings when sunny and then close them at night to trap the heat. You may also want to purchase blackout curtains or insulated curtains that will do a better job of keeping the heat in.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Did you know that by installing a smart thermostat, you’ll have more control over the amount of heat you use this winter? A allows you to create schedules so that you can set the specific temperature for the day of the week and the time. The heat can be set lower during the weekdays when you’re at work, and then automatically come on in time for you to get home, then be lower during the overnight hours.
All of these energy savings will add up and save you a significant amount on your home heating bills during the winter.
Embrace Electric Space Heaters
If you’re still spending more than you want on heating your home, try using an . These use much less energy than your furnace, yet they do a terrific job of heating a room. You can just move the heater around to the room you are currently in.
Use Ceiling Fans to Better Circulate the Heat
As you probably know, hot air rises and that can make heating a multi-level home difficult and expensive. Another tip is to and use them to better circulate the heat. During the winter months, they should be turning clockwise to pull the heat from the ceiling and push it down into the room. Use the lowest speed so you don’t create a breeze. In the summer months, simply reverse the direction of the fan.
Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
The final tip is to start washing your clothes in cold water. This is a tip that will afford savings year-round. A massive part of the energy used to wash clothing is spent on heating the water, so if you can eliminate this step, you’ll start to see big savings.
There Are Lots You Can Do
This is just a small look at the many ways you can save energy in your home this winter. The good news is that so much of your household energy consumption can be altered, so why not take control?
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