There is no doubt about it – the winter seasons truly test your home when it comes to determining its level of energy-efficiency. Unfortunately, having a home that isn’t energy efficient is not only bad for the environment, it is bad for your pocketbook as well. Therefore, you might want to consider implementing these 5 tips to make your home energy-efficient this winter before the temperatures start to drop.
Tip #1: Insulate Your Water Heater
One of the simplest steps you can take for making your home more energy efficient is to insulate your water heater. You might also want to consider lowering the temperature of your water heater; just make sure you do not lower it below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, you might want to consider putting a timer on your water heater so it does not unnecessarily heat your water throughout the day while you are not at home.
Tip #2: Wrap Your Pipes
Another way to make your home more energy efficient is to wrap your pipes. Not only will this help prevent your pipes from freezing and subsequently bursting, it will also help the water that is being transported maintain its heat. When the water loses heat, your water heater has to work even harder to heat the water for you to use.
Tip #3: Replace Your Furnace Filters
Furnace filters are inexpensive and easy to replace. Yet, many people ignore this simple maintenance step. When your filters are clogged, the air is unable to properly flow through the heating and cooling system and your heating unit is forced to work harder. If the filters become severely clogged, it can cause your heating unit to overheat. You should check your furnace filters once per month throughout the winter season. If you cannot easily see light come through the filter, it is time to replace it.
Tip #4: Cover Your Windows
Before winter rolls around, it is time to take out your window screens and to replace them with storm windows. If you don’t have storm windows or if your windows do not have a good seal, you should seal any leaks you have or even consider replacing the windows. If this is not an option, you should put clear plastic over your windows so you don’t lose so much heat. The reality is that the majority of heat lost during the winter is through windows and doors, with many experts estimating that up to 35% of winter heating bills are caused by heat lost through windows. Therefore, paying close attention to your windows is an essential step in making your home more energy-efficient.
Tip #5: Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are relatively inexpensive, but they go a long way toward helping to reduce energy costs when properly implemented. By programming your thermostat to turn down the heat at night but to turn it back up shortly before you wake up, you will save energy during the night without having to wake up to a cold house. Similarly, programming your thermostat to turn down during the day and to go back up before you come home from work helps prevent wasting energy throughout the day without forcing you to come home to a cold house.
Wow, your blog here has so many excellent and important tips! We are lacking in a few of the areas above… while I think these are important, my husband is a bit slack in taking care of those areas. I do try to compensate by hanging heavy blankets over the windows and always turn the thermostat off at night and whenever I’m out of the house.