With temperatures starting to dip into frigid territory here in Asheville, the cost of heating your home could start to rise.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your home warm in this new year without having to spend a fortune on heating!
1. Keep an Eye on Your Thermostat!
This one is a given, but it can be easy to forget to turn down the heat when you leave the house. Most households shell out 50 to 70% of their energy budgets on heating and cooling, so why pay for what no one uses? You’ll save between 1 and 3% of your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat.
Purchasing a programmable thermostat is also a great investment.
2. Dodge the Drafts
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use. Use a self-adhesive weather stripping seal on windows or doors, seal gaps or cracks between building materials with caulking. Or implement the good old fashioned “Draft Snake” that will get those cracks and leaks under the door.
3. Change the Furnace Filter
East to forget, but it’s important to replace or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. Here’s a worry-saving tip: mark a monthly check on your calendar. Consider switching over to a permanent filter, Electostatic filters trap around 88%, and are much better at controlling the bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that cause illness and irritation. They cost $50 to $1,000 or more. Another good choice is a genuine HEPA filter (like the one pictured), which can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles. HEPA filters are based on Department of Energy standards. But avoid “HEPA-like” filters, which can be vastly less effective.
4. Install Storm Doors and Windows
The simple act of installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%, by sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Storm doors also offer greater flexibility for letting light and ventilation enter your home. Look for Energy-Star certified models and you might be able to gain a tax credit.
5. Run Ceiling Fans in Reverse
Ceiling fans tend to make people think of cool air, but many ceiling fan models come with a handy little switch that reverses the spin of the blades. Counterclockwise rotation produces cooling breezes while switching to clockwise makes it warmer: air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space – cutting your heating costs as much as 10%!
6. Put Up Some Plastic
For just a few dollars, pick up a window insulation kit at your local hardware or discount store. Don’t worry — properly installed, window plastic is essentially invisible. Adding a buffer against drafts and extra still air space can give a nice boost to your home’s ability to hold heat.
7. Turn Down Your Water Heater
While many conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by installers, most households don’t need that much steam, and end up paying for it — in dollars and the occasional scalding burn. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees F (or lower) would reduce your water heating costs by 6% to 10%. Consider also a tankless water heater or gain another federal tax credit by installing a solar powered water heater.
8. Give Your Heating System a Tune-Up
Cars need periodic tune-ups in order to run their best and the same is true for heating equipment. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5% of heating costs. Many utilities offer free annual checkups by qualified technicians — but you often have to call early, as HVAC crews get backed up once heating season starts.
9. Put on a Sweater!
Roughly speaking, a light long-sleeved sweater is worth about 2 degrees in added warmth, while a heavy sweater adds about 4 degrees. So cozy up and start saving!