As winter looms with its steadily dropping temperatures, homes around the world brace for something that’s imminent for many: high heating and utility bills. It’s impossible to simply stop harsh winter weather from coming – short of moving to a tropical island – but, fortunately, there are many energy-efficient upgrades that can make homes more comfortable while saving money.
First and Foremost: Insulate
While there are several large-scale upgrades one could consider, many homeowners should first consider minor tweaks – specifically in regard to insulation. From window replacements to general caulking, some minor to average home improvements can save homeowners thousands throughout a winter. Here are some insulation-minded tips to consider:
- Caulk generously. By caulking windows, doors, cracks and holes, you are keeping out both cold air and potential critters that may be seeking refuge from the weather. To find potential cracks and holes, place a candle in certain areas of the house and monitor where the flame moves or is blown out.
- Insulate your attic door to prevent cold air seeping into your main house from a room that doesn’t need to be heated.
- Cover windows with a window insulation kit.
- Check electrical outlets to ensure that there aren’t any holes surrounding the outlet that can bring in cold air. A draft near an electrical outlet can result in ample lost energy.
- Run ceiling fans clockwise to help circulate warm air back into a room.
- Insulate garage and exterior doors, especially if your garage connects to your home.
- If you have a fireplace, install glass doors to keep cold drafts from coming down into your home.
- Change your furnace filters regularly to ensure optimal efficiency. Also, consider using rugs on wood and tile floors to help keep your feet comfortable while walking throughout the house.
Insulation can make a massive difference in terms of energy savings throughout a winter, so it’s something all homeowners should look into. Drafts can waste 5-30 percent of one’s energy use, so the difference can be very substantial.
Drain Unnecessary Water
Make sure to check any air conditioner pipes or hoses that may be in your home, as excess water during the winter can result in an expensive mess and coldness. Some A/Cs have a water shutoff valve, while others will have to be shaken out manually. With this in mind, any water leaks whatsoever should absolutely be addressed before the winter.
Consider Various Heating Systems
If you have insulated practically everything and your energy costs throughout the winter are still too high, then it may be time to invest in a heating system. Programmable thermostats are a great way to keep your home nice and warm throughout the winter. They give you the ability to conserve energy through a system that allows the heating to turn on while you’re home and off while at work.
More outside the box, it’s also worth looking into a heating system with energy efficiency in mind. One example is a geothermal HVAC system, which is a greener solution compared to conventional heating devices like radiant heating, heat pump, forced-air and furnaces. Due to no combustion heating and reduced fuel consumption, the HVAC system touts less maintenance, improved safety and overall effectiveness as its strong points. If it’s in your budget, it’s certainly something worth considering.
Whether it’s thorough insulation, water draining, energy monitoring and/or a new heating system, there are many ways homeowners can get through the winter with an energy-friendly setup that benefits both them and the environment.
