With winter here, now is the time to do all you can to reduce your energy bills!
Read on for eight great tips on how to save on heating costs this winter from sealing up cracks to making your water heater more efficient.
Tip #1: Have Furnace Serviced
Your heat source is the biggest user of energy in your home during the winter. It only makes sense that your system should run as efficiently as possible. Having the heating system serviced and changing the filter regularly will ensure the system is operating as efficiently and inexpensively as possible.
Find out more:
Tip #2: Lower Temperature at Thermostat
Every degree you lower the temperature in your home will save 2% to 3% on your total heating bill. You can adjust the temperature on your thermostat manually or install a programmable thermostat to do it automatically.
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Tip #3: Reverse Your Ceiling Fan
Reverse ceiling fans so they turn clockwise and run on low to circulate the warmer air that rises to the upper areas of your rooms. Recycling this air will make your rooms more comfortable.
Find out more:
- Using a Paddle Ceiling Fan Properly (article)
- How to Install a Paddle Ceiling Fan (video)
Tip #4: Lower Water Heater Temperature
Your water heater works 24 hours a day to provide you with hot water when needed. Lowering the temperature setting on your hot water heater will make it run less, saving you money.
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Tip #5: Insulate Water Pipes
Hot water pipes that are not insulated allow hot water to lose heat as soon as it leaves the water heater. Insulating these lines with readily available foam pipe wrap will decrease the cost of heating hot water.
- How to Insulate Water Pipes (video)
- How to Prevent Frozen Pipes (article)
- How to Keep Pipes from Freezing and Thaw Frozen Pipes (article)
Tip #6: Add Insulation to Attic
Almost every attic could use more insulation. Your attic should have at least 12″ of insulation in warm climates and 16″ in cold areas. Plastic encapsulated fiberglass insulation batts make installing additional insulation itch free and are safer for do-it-yourselfers.
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Tip #7: Seal Gaps & Cracks
Small cracks around windows, hose bibs and doors allow cold air to infiltrate the home causing a more expensive effort to keep temperatures comfortable within the home. Sealing these cracks with exterior caulk or foam will make it easier and cheaper to heat your home this winter. Also, make sure weatherstripping around windows and doors provides a good seal, and replace if needed.
Find out more:
- How to Caulk and Seal Around Windows and Doors (video)
- How to Replace Weatherstripping Around Doors (video)
- How to Make a Draft Dodger (article)
Tip #8: Insulate Your Windows
If new, insulated windows are not in your budget, consider applying an inexpensive window insulation kit. This kit contains double stick tape and a thin plastic film that when installed on the interior of your window, creates an air cushion to block cold air.
Find out more:
Hello,
I am writing about what to do about the gap
between the foundation and the siding…I have sprayed for bugs as I have seen some in
the past fly up under the siding where the
mortar hold the block together. I would like to seal this up with perhaps foam rope 1/4″ or perhaps 1/2″ in some areas and then use
caulk to finalize the sealing to keep out bugs,snow,rain and of course cold drafts…
Would you recommend silicone caulking as I
would think clear would be best and as silcone would be more pliable and waterproof?
Please reply!
Thanks,
Steve
Where can i find the window insulation kits? We have tried Lowes and Home Depot and they don’t know what we are talking about.
Thanks,
Gail
I have cold air coming into my fireplace area because the exgaust vent does not fit
securely
What can I use to cover the whole?
The window film looks like a great idea, but I second Gail’s request for help on finding it. Went to Home Depot today and the two people in the department with the regular window film (that just covers the glass) had never heard of it.
Thanks!
The window film does work. I purchased mine at Home Depot, but I purchased it in the fall. They may not be stocking it now, as with most stores they also rush into the next season and probably stock patio sets and lawn items.I have also seen the kits at ACO hardware. The time to buy would be October.
I live in a new condo building with sliding balcony doors. However, this winter i feel a draft coming thru. I want to be able to open the doors in the winter/summer time. What can I do to lower the wind i feel coming thru the connections ?
hello, where can I purchase the window insulation kits and is there a brand name to lokk out for? Thank You
Re Window insulating kits – do look for them in the fall and don’t buy the pre-cut ones. You can save oodles by buying the big roll and cutting it yourself. If you run out of tape, you can buy more. However, be warned that when you peel them off, the paint will probably come away too. I used to solve this by leaving the film on most windows all year (in Summer, it keeps the heat out), but in my green retrofit I’ll be using interior storms instead. They are made of plexiglass, adhere to the window frame via a magnetic strip and you reuse them every year. This way, I will get to keep the house’s original wood windows.
Home depot Window Film kit
Model: TA71002
Internet/Cat #: 941485
Store SKU #: 113245
Recyclable window film
Easy to install
Prevents frost and condensation
210 In. H x 62 In. W x 0.005 In. D, 0.617 lb
Re: insulating window kits. You can purchase them at Wal-Mart. I purchased a kit for $10. “DUCK Roll-on Insulating Kit”. Kits come in different sizes, I bought the one that covers 4 LARGE windows. It’s double sided tape placed around the window, roll on plastic that is cut to fit the window. Then use a blow dryer to shrink the film. It’s sooo easy and it helps tremendously. You can not tell there is film on the window, it looks clear. Be aware there is a possibility of paint being removed from your window when you take the tape off; however, it’s cheaper to repaint than to heat the great outdoors!
You can buy Window Film at any of the auto parts store ie, napa, discount auto, auto zone or go to a car window tinting shop and ask to purchase bigger pieces from them. They get it on a wider and longer roll.I bought mine at auto zone.
Programming a digital thermostat (instead of using it just like the old manual round-shaped ones) can create significant savings while minimizing discomfort. By reducing heating or A/C demand while you are out of the house or asleep, you can save up to 30% on associated costs. And as stated here, setting temps a little colder in winter and warmer in summer also can help. Personally, I’d want to program a t-stat before being cold!
Hi Shay,
The Better Homes & Gardens exterior facelift winning home used Woodscapes solid color stain with Sherwin Williams custom mixed colors. You can find detailed information for all of the Better Homes & Gardens contest winners in the resources section in the back of the September 2009 issue.
I went total electric in my home a couple of years ago. I am concern about the my electric furnace because last year with the snow and ice, I had a few problems with my furnace. What can I do to protect my electric furnace from the snow and ice? Can I cover it with some type of insulation?
Gina or anyone who knows the answer.
Where do you purchase: “using interior storms instead. They are made of plexiglass, adhere to the window frame via a magnetic strip and you reuse them every year”
Do they have other means of adhering to the window frame as my frames are not metal.
My door that leads to the outside has been slammed so many times in the past 30 years that there is now a huge gap between door frame and the wall! I’ve hammered and tried different ways to fix this problem with no success. Can you please help me? Teresa from Linden, Tn.