Winter Tips: Decreasing your Heating and Energy Bills this winter
So we’ve already seen the first sustainable snowfall of this year’s Winter Season. It may be a pretty sight, but many of us dread the winter months. To most it means increased heating and energy bills. So we did a little searching on the internet to find some of the best ways to help you fight the increase in your bills this year. Here are 5 of the best tips we came across.
Tip 1: Button up your windows
If you don’t have the money, or are a renter, don’t despair. While new windows and a furnace would be great, what you have now may need only just a little help to save cash and improve comfort. Even new windows are often just marginally more efficient than old ones (compared to your wall’s r-value for instance), but a good set of insulating blinds can double or triple a window’s efficiency.
Reflective bubble wrap foil also works well for a window cover and dramatically reduces radiant energy losses that can make even a warm room feel cold to bare skin. And don’t neglect caulking around the frame if you feel a draft coming through. In a pinch plastic film will get you through the season, and storm windows are often a good compromise.
Tip 2: Get a programmable thermostat
A fifteen year old 80% AFUE furnace is still reasonably efficient, but with a programmable thermostat that furnace can run a whole lot more intelligently. These thermostats are inexpensive but notorisously difficult to operate. Luckily some have a nifty energy star button that is a set-and-forget energy saver, and the new Nest Thermostat can learn how you heat your house and automatically adjust itself.
Tip 3: Close up air leaks
Air infiltration is a major reason many rooms feel cold, but you can check for air leakage with a smoke stick. A typical culprit is electrical boxes on the outside walls. Cheap plug and light switch gaskets are easy to install, and all of that reduced air infiltration can make a noticeable difference. Same goes for outside doors — replace those worn gaskets and seal the attic hatch.
Tip 4: Wrap those Water Pipes
Wrapping water pipes can bring the gift of saving. By insulating these pipes, homeowners can reduce their monthly energy bill by reducing transmission losses. Insulating the first three feet of pipe into a water heater is especially important and can help raise the water temperature by 2 to 4 degrees.
Tip 5: Install Compact Fluorescent Lights
CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) use less energy than regular light bulbs. Replace old light bulbs with new, energy efficient ones and look out for LED replacements, which are quickly becoming an affordable alternative. One $10 bulb saves about $40 over its lifetime. An energy calculator can help determine how much they’ll save at your house.
These Winter Tips can help you save a few bucks throughout the season. Now go enjoy the snow without worrying about your energy costs as much.
Source info:
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/13/12-days-of-energy-efficiency/
Penny Hanley & Howley Insurance
860-684-2721
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