Energy costs are projected to rise this winter, according to the EIA, and the average homeowner who uses heating oil, for instance, will spend over $2,000 on heat alone. Save on energy costs this winter with a few minor lifestyle changes.
Insulate Your Home & Wallet
Add the right amount of insulation in the right places of your home, and you can save big on energy costs. Insulate your floors with R25 value insulation; the minimum is R19. Figure out the R-value of your insulation by measuring its thickness and determining what kind of insulation it is. The U.S. Department of Energy has calculators that show you what R-value you should have in your space.
It is safe to assume the insulation is thinner than necessary if you’re living in an older home. Add a layer in the attic or beneath your floors to enhance your home’s energy performance or use spray foam insulation.
Stop Air Leaks
Up to 45 percent of your energy costs come from heating your space, and air leaks can reduce efficiency by 30 percent. Sealing up all house leaks will reduce energy costs. Start in areas where leaks commonly occur like windows and doors.
Caulk the seams of your doors with high-quality, exterior window and door caulk. Add weather stripping if you haven’t already. Install storm windows, and fix any broken window panes.
Look for and seal all leaks in less obvious areas like chimney flues, attic drop doors, recessed lights, outlets and switches, and foundation floor seams.
Fill cracks with insulation, especially those around pipe entry points. Use foam in large gaping cracks leading outside, such as cracks between the roof and walls.
Identify streaking along your duct seams. Streaming is a sign of a possible leak. Apply duct tape over all leaking areas.
Lay a door snake (long stuffed tube) along the inside of doorways during the night, and add thicker curtains to windows. If you have skylights, add a skylight curtain.
Keep the curtains closed at night and during the day on the northern side of the house. Open south-facing curtains during the day to bring in sunlight to help heat your home.
4 Smart Energy Saving Tips
Since ground water is colder in winter, your water heater will work overtime to provide a hot shower. Change your heater’s elements (if electric), and ensure the unit is serviced. Also, the government offers certain tax credits for homeowners who upgrade to a newer, more energy efficient heater.
Save energy with energy deregulation, which is competition between electricity providers and “having the power to choose the company that supplies your energy rate,” according to ElectricCompanies.com. If you live in a deregulated state, compare providers in your area and pick the energy retail supplier offering the service that meets your home needs.
If your home has a furnace with a forced-air system, change the filters and have it serviced to improve efficiency. Cleaning ducts will also improve the flow of hot air into your home, which cuts costs.
Swap out old bulbs for newer fluorescent bulbs to reduce your electricity bill by 75 percent. The days are shorter in winter, and your lights are on more often.
About the Author:
Greg Tinsdale
In 2006 Greg got so frustrated with his local utility provider he started writing about it.