Heating your home when the weather turns cold can be expensive, but paying attention to a few aspects of your home can help you save money on your energy bill each winter. Here are four tips for heating your home efficiently.
1. Set a Timer For Your Heater
Many people think leaving their heater set to a lower setting all the time can be more efficient, but that’s not necessarily the case. For better results, use a programmable thermostat to set your heating system on a timer and lower the temperature during the times when you are not at home.
The temperature will still be regulated so your pipes will not freeze, but you won’t be pumping out heat into an empty home. You can also program the temperature to be lower when you are sleeping in an effort to use less energy during those hours.
2. Heat Rooms Efficiently
If you’re not using certain rooms in your home, it might be more efficient to turn off the heat in those areas. If you have central heat, you can cover up the vents in those rooms so that the heat is directed to the rooms you are using.
Close the doors of the rooms you don’t use so that the heat stays in the rooms you do use. Also, if you have another source of heat, such as a fireplace or wood stove, fire it up every time you have the opportunity and know people will be home for the night to give your heating system a hand.
3. Use Heavy Curtains for Heating Your Home Efficiently
Be sure that you’re not letting heat leak out of rooms or your entire home. Getting heavy, insulated curtains will help seal in heat. Make sure your curtains or blinds are fitted closely to your window for the best results. It’s also best to leave curtains open during the day to allow sunshine to warm up your home naturally, especially where you have south-facing windows.
4. Check Your Insulation
All your efforts to heat your home efficiently will be wasted if it is not insulated well. Having energy efficient windows and proper wall and loft insulation is important so heat doesn’t escape.
One easy place to check the insulation is in your attic. Since heat rises, it is one of the most important places to have adequate insulation. If you notice that areas of your attic seem to have missing or lacking insulation, take it on as a DIY project or call a professional.
The cost to heat your home has only increased in recent years. That’s why heating your home efficiently is important. Follow these four steps to use your heating budget wisely.
JW Goad Home Inspections serves Middle Tennessee and Kentucky with home inspection services. Contact us to book an appointment.