As the weather turns colder, most homeowners start searching for ways to reduce energy consumption in an effort to lower their heating bills. And we’re talking about significant costs.
Back in 2009, the average American household spent about $1,200 to heat their homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s an astonishing 65% increase over the average paid in 2004. And heating costs have continued to rise since these 2009 figures were collected.
The good news is that with a minimal investment of time and money, you can dramatically cut your home heating costs. There are dozens of quick and easy DIY tips for cutting fuel consumption, ranging from caulking gaps and replacing weather-stripping, to adding insulation and improving ventilation. But where do you start, and how do you know you’re getting unbiased, expert information?
Well, first of all, we here at Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford have been sharing energy-saving tips and techniques for the past 13 years, and all our videos and articles are archived and easily accessible. Check out the 61 different insulation tips and techniques, or the 86 posts on heating and cooling. And our Green Home section contains more than 300 useful energy-smart articles and videos.
Another one of my favorite places to go for first-rate energy information is energysavers.gov, which is the official website of the U.S. Department of Energy. There, you’ll find detailed information about everything and anything that has to do with energy consumption, including energy-saving tips, strategies, and products for all seasons and all regions.
With just a few mouse clicks, you can get expert advice on choosing a new heating system, types of thermostats, recommended R-values, dealing with moisture, how heat pumps work, and the importance of attic ventilation. The site also has energy-saving information on space heating, lighting, cooling, passive solar, windows, doors, water heating, kitchen appliances, even landscaping.
Log on today and find real-world solutions for lowering your home-heating bills.
