This week in PA has felt more like December than October! It was rainy and cold today, and most local residents probably had their heat on at least part of the day and tonight! During these cold times, heating bills can rise quickly, and we want to share several ways to help you slash your heating bill!
#1. Insulate- We’re going to start with one of the more expensive solutions. While insulating may add costs now, it will definitely pay for itself in the future! Check out the NAIMA website to see how much you need for your area. They have a nifty map you can use to determine your R-Factor! You can also have an energy efficiency inspection if you feel that you’re really losing on heat! Check out this GOV website on insulation for extra tips!
2. Caulk, Caulk, and Caulk Some More- Just kidding, maybe not THAT much Caulk! However, now is the time to caulk, seal, or plug any holes that you know are leaking air. Check out this PDF on Caulk and Weatherstripping your home! This shows you all the places that might possibly be losing energy via leaks!
3. Seal Your Ducts- Energy Star has a nifty brochure on how and where to seal the heating ducts in your home. When your ducts are not properly sealed, air leaks out and causes your heating system to work harder than normal. This can add to your energy bill!
4. Windows- Now is the time to replace your window screens with storm windows. These provide another layer against the cold air. This is best if you have single-pane windows. While updating to newer windows may not be an option, many people use plastic sheeting and a hair dryer to shrink wrap the sheeting to a window. This is then taken down in the spring. While it may not look the best ($4-5 per window) it works really well!
5. Reverse your ceiling fan- Here’s a NEAT video about why YOU should be reversing your fans to help heat your home! This has to do with the way the air circulates and all that mumbo jumbo- Just watch the video, he’s MUCH better at explaining it than I am! 🙂
6. Wrap The Pipes- Having a pipe burst in mid-winter is definitely a pain in the patootie. So, here is a GREAT video/article from DIY Network to learn how to do that!
7. Get your furnace and/or chimney inspected/cleaned. You’ll have to check the specifics about a chimney versus a wood stove. However, I was JUST contacted by a chimney sweep that was going to be working in our area. It is important to make sure that all your systems are properly maintained. You wouldn’t drive your car a bajillion (my own word;) miles without getting your oil changed, so make sure to get your HVAC systems checked annually!
8. Clean the gutters- This will prevent water backups after snow/ice storms. Making sure your gutters are clean is something that is SO simple to do and saves a TREMENDOUS amount of heart ache in the middle of the winter!
9. Have fun doing it! Turn this into a fun day for your family. Plan ahead a little, and make a day of it. This means getting apple cider, raking leaves and jumping into them afterward, or plan something special at the end of the day!
Leave a Reply