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According to some surveys, utilities take the third place (after monthly rent and groceries) among the biggest homeowners’ expenses. In particular heating your house or apartment, especially if you live in regions with extreme temperature changes, can significantly add up to your entire utility bill. Do not get upset though – making some simple adjustments at your home can noticeably reduce the amount of finances that you spend on energy.
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The following 8 tips will come in handy when you decide to decrease energy consumption and maintain comfortable temperatures in your home this upcoming winter.
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- Make use of free heat from the sun. The sun energy is really useful when it comes to providing free heat for your household. On winter days open the curtains on your south-facing windows to welcome free heat into your home. Close your window shutters when the sun goes down and keep the warmth inside.
- Put extra layers of warm clothes on. One of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill is to put on a cozy winter sweater and warm socks instead of turning the heat up. You could even buy a nice warm winter jammies for this purpose in order to feel both comfortable and appealing to your spouse. Keep warm blankets and duvets on your couch, as well as add fluffy rugs to insulate the floor.
- Adjust the thermostat at night. According to the U.S. Department of Energy turning your thermostat down 10-15 degrees for eight hours of sleep will save approximately 10% per year on your heating bills. Keeping the temperature cooler when you sleep is also good for your health because you can breathe in fresher and moistened air.
- Purchase a humidifier to add moisture to the inside air. The air inside your home becomes very dry when the heating is on. Moistened air is warmer and preserves heat better, that’s why when setting your thermostat at a lower temperature, do not forget to turn on a humidifier to stay more comfortable.
- If you have ceiling fans, use them to your advantage. If there are ceiling fans in your home, you can better control ventilation and airflow. Ceiling fans can be used intentionally to improve airflow – in summer counterclockwise pushes hot air up and clockwise traps heat inside to keep your home warm during winter months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to smoothly push hot air back down.
- Only heat the rooms you use. Guest rooms or large storage areas at your household do not need to be heated when they are not in use. Close and seal off the vents in those rooms, redirecting the flow of air to the rooms that you use constantly.
- Keep your furnace clean and clear from blockages. Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will diminish energy consumption and help you cut on your heating bill. Check your furnace filter regularly and replace it when it gets clogged.
- Invest in insulation. Thousands of dollars in energy costs are wasted each year due to improper insulation in a lot of homes, which is to blame for escaping heat and letting cold air into your home. You can start with simple measures such as foam weather stripping for your doors and windows – it is cheap and extremely easy to apply.
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In case if you come across any problems with your heating systems, contact Norwalk Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning for further consultation – our specialists will gladly answer your questions and fix the system malfunctions that might arise.