As fall turns to winter, you may be looking for ways to heat your home more efficiently. Some methods take work and an initial investment while others are more simple and affordable. Here are 5 ways to save money on your heating bill.
Add Insulation to Heat Your Home More Efficiently
Insulation is key for a house’s ability to retain heat. Over time, the insulation in the attic, crawlspace, basement, and behind the drywall can lose its effectiveness. A house built many years ago probably won’t have as much insulation as one built today. Inspect the insulation in the attic and under the floors. Be careful and wear protective gear since insulation can irritate your skin and upper respiratory tract.
Since you cannot see insulation behind walls, hire a home inspector who performs thermal imaging to assess the condition of the insulation. If the current insulation is not sufficient, replace it with the correct R-value for your climate zone. Most homes will benefit from additional insulation.
Seal Up Drafty Areas
Gaps around windows and doors and cracks in window panes let cold air inside and warm air out. Sealing the home is an excellent way to heat your home more efficiently. Replace weatherstripping around doors and windows and seal cracks with caulk. Fill small foundation cracks with caulk and larger ones with expanding spray foam.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat helps with energy savings simply by setting it and forgetting it. Based on your family’s schedule, program the thermostat to raise the temperature when people are home and lower it when the house is empty. Go a step further and install a smart thermostat. You can control it from your phone, which comes in handy if your family members don’t have a regular schedule.
Use Your Fireplace to Heat Your Home More Efficiently
On nights when you’re at home, build a fire in your fireplace instead of cranking up the heater. It will warm up your home and keep your family cozy. The thermostat will register that the home is already warm so that your heater doesn’t kick on. Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned before using it for the season.
Radiant Heat From the Sun
A completely free way to heat your home more efficiently is to open up the window coverings when the sun is shining brightly. Even on a chilly day, the radiant heat from the sun will help heat up a room. Once the sun goes down, close the drapes to insulate the windows. Heavy, thermal drapes are better insulators than blinds or thin curtains.
AWP Home Inspections provides home inspections with an infrared camera. Contact us to schedule your appointment.