Heading into this winter season a lot of families are justifiably nervous. It's a harsh economy and a lot of individuals are apprehensive about their employment and keeping pace with increasing expenses. However there are many cheap, or free, steps you can take to lower utility costs. Here a few of the easy, yet effective, changes you can start making today.
1. Ensure your furnace is prepared for the winter. Have a capable HVAC expert test and clean your unit. When the heating season begins make sure to change your filters monthly. If the filter is dirty it will restrict airflow which will use more energy since it has to work harder.
2. Put in a programmable thermostat. You can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at specific times of the day and specific days of the week. That way the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when nobody is home, or overnight. You can also set it to raise the temperature shortly before you get up in the morning.
3. Take care of your fireplace. Make sure the chimney is cleaned and in good repair. If you use your fireplace more than once a week you need to have it professionally cleaned every year. What's more add a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to keep birds from building nests.
4. Be sure to caulk around any windows and doors. The more heat loss you can stop the less your furnace will have to run, and that will save you money all season long. Using window kits is one more way to keep heat loss from older windows.
5. By using wind power or renewable energy, (think home windmill) along with the above winterizing guidelines will more than put you in front of the game; on cutting your long term electric bills.
Now is a good time to make some easy changes that can help you cut energy bills this winter. Take a few minutes now to save hundreds not only this winter but throughout the year and for years to come.
1. Ensure your furnace is prepared for the winter. Have a capable HVAC expert test and clean your unit. When the heating season begins make sure to change your filters monthly. If the filter is dirty it will restrict airflow which will use more energy since it has to work harder.
2. Put in a programmable thermostat. You can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at specific times of the day and specific days of the week. That way the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when nobody is home, or overnight. You can also set it to raise the temperature shortly before you get up in the morning.
3. Take care of your fireplace. Make sure the chimney is cleaned and in good repair. If you use your fireplace more than once a week you need to have it professionally cleaned every year. What's more add a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to keep birds from building nests.
4. Be sure to caulk around any windows and doors. The more heat loss you can stop the less your furnace will have to run, and that will save you money all season long. Using window kits is one more way to keep heat loss from older windows.
5. By using wind power or renewable energy, (think home windmill) along with the above winterizing guidelines will more than put you in front of the game; on cutting your long term electric bills.
Now is a good time to make some easy changes that can help you cut energy bills this winter. Take a few minutes now to save hundreds not only this winter but throughout the year and for years to come.
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