Did you know your home’s heating and cooling system is the main energy user in your home? In fact, it makes up approximately half of all energy costs.
During the peak of summer and winter, your heating and cooling system is working overtime to help you stay comfortable indoors. For many systems, winter can be especially problematic for your heating system since heating the interior of your space is often essential for survival. While investing in a tune-up (learn more at https://www.summersphc.com/fort-wayne/services/heating/furnace-tune-up/) is a great way to help reduce costs, there are other energy-saving steps you can take as well. Keep reading to find out what those steps are.
Allow Sun in During the Daytime
Does your cat love to lie in the sunbeams shining on the floor in your home? If so, take a cue from them. The sun is the best source of free heat. When you open your blinds and curtains during the day, you can benefit from the greenhouse effect. At this time, the sun will help to heat your home naturally, taking some of the strain off your heating system.
Close Your Curtains at Night
While windows are great to let heat in during the day, they can also be a source of heat loss at night. This is especially true since most windows are not as well-insulated as your home’s walls. Make sure you close your blinds and curtains when the sun sets to prevent any cold chills from making your home cooler. You can also purchase insulated curtains, which are going to improve your window’s energy efficiency.
Eliminate Drafts and Air Leaks
Sealing your home from drafts and air leaks is an effective and affordable way to reduce heat loss. You can add weatherstripping and caulking to areas where drafts are present, and these quick fixes will eventually pay for themselves, often within a year. You can also use caulk for cracks and any openings present between stationary objects, such as window and door frames. You can also install weatherstripping around anything that is moving, such as the door or window sashes.
External Doors
Doors are another common place where drafts can occur. If there is a drafty door in your home, be sure to check the seals and weatherstripping present around the door frame. If there is any that is missing or damaged, you should purchase and apply new to restore the proper function of the material. It is also a good idea to caulk any broken seals that are present.
Windows
The windows in your home, especially in older homes, are a huge heat loss and drafts source. Take steps to insulate the windows during the winter months by sealing the frame using a clear plastic cling wrap. Purchasing window film is affordable, simple to apply, easy to take off during the spring, and can be purchased at virtually any home improvement store. It will only cost you a few dollars to insulate every window in your home; however, the savings you see on your heating costs will be significant.
Saving Energy in the Winter Months
As you can see from the information above, there are more than a few things you can do and steps you can take to save on energy costs in the winter. Keep the information here in mind and take the necessary steps to ensure your home is ready for winter and that it will remain affordable to heat your home all winter long. While you will incur some costs, the tips above will help you reduce them significantly. Being informed is the best way to help you save on home heating costs in winter.
