subject: Reducing Winter Heating Costs [print this page] When you are already struggling to make your rent, mortgage, car, and insurance payments, the last thing you want is a sky high heating bill to go along with it. Unfortunately, along with the winter months brings the opportunity to spend a lot more than you expected to warm your home.
Those that have to deal with the troubles of ice and snow know the pleasure that one can experience upon entering a warm and inviting home. All of the day's troubles seem to melt away and you are able to regain feeling in frozen toes and fingers.
The thought of not being able to experience this feeling can be traumatizing; however, some people go overboard when it comes to providing enough heat for their house. Over warming your place can have negative effects on the environment, as well as your pocket book.
The amount of electricity we use may not seem important now, but overconsumption can mean fewer resources available in the future. Paying close attention to where we get our energy from and how much we use can prevent a great deal of problems down the road.
As far as making your residence warm and cozy goes, there are definitely things that one can change in order to keep from utilizing more power for heating than they would like. Insulation is one aspect that will make all the difference in saving money.
When you are able to keep the cold out of your home, it requires less power to increase the inside temperature. If your place is older and does not already have enough insulation within the walls, you may need to do a little renovation in order to create more.
One way to do so is to place decorative wood slating on the walls. This will make the walls thicker which means it will be easier to keep cold temperatures out and from seeping in.
There are also insulation types that can be added throughout the house, so make sure that you research all of your available options before you make the decision. Spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose are other types that will be available, according to which style you need and how you are hoping to change the insulation of the building.
Windows often let in a great amount of cold, whether it is because they do not close properly, have faulty sealing, or are not thick enough to keep out chilled temperatures. If you do notice any sealing that has come up or any regions that are not completely shut make sure to fix them immediately.
You may also want to make use of winter drapes; these will be a warmer and thicker option to regular styles. Their thickness allows them to block out freezing temperatures that come in from the outdoors and really save money on your heating bill.
It will also be necessary to find any holes, drafts, or broken seals throughout the place; if you do notice any, make sure to visit a hardware or home improvement store for the proper cold-preventing sealing. Air leaks can cause a number of problems and often they are quite unrecognizable.
It may be hard to pinpoint exactly where they are and where the draft is originating from. This problem is especially apparent or prevalent in older homes, as they have most likely not been sealed and prepped properly for the winter months.
Homes that are inefficiently winterized may be costing the owner double than what they would normally pay each month for warmth. Small holes and drafts can allow cold air to seep in throughout the day, which leaves the heat cranking and the thermostat lower than desired the entire time.
To fix this problem, make sure that water stripping is intact. Feel close to windows and doors and see if you are able to notice any small leaks or streams of air that are coming inside from outdoors.
Another great way to reduce the costs you have to spend each month is to pay close attention to your thermostat. If you know that you and your family members will not be around the rest of the day, turn the temperatures down so that the heater is not working hard to warm up rooms that are unoccupied.
You should also turn it down at night and make use of layering and blankets to stay comfortable while you sleep. Doing so will help you safe extra funds as well as help to preserve the environment without practicing overconsumption.
