10 Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm this Winter Without Breaking the Bank
With Fall in full swing and frigid winter temps right around the corner, now is a good time to winterize your home.
Forbes reports that the average American spends roughly $2,366 annually on energy and gas bills. Additionally, the average household is expected to spend 28% more in 2023, compared to last year to heat a home with gas. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make a big difference in your home’s warmth and your energy bills. Consider the following 10 tips to winterize your home without breaking the bank:
1. Add Insulation
If your attic, basement or crawl space are uninsulated or under-insulated, your house will likely feel frigid, and your energy bills will rise. Install insulation batts yourself or hire a company that specializes in blown-in insulation and will ensure the areas are properly sealed. Depending on your climate and current levels of insulation, you could reduce your energy bills by 15% to 25%.
2. Throw Down Throw Rugs
Hardwood and tile floors can be cold on your bare feet, especially if they are uninsulated. The easiest and most cost-effective way to warm up hard-surface floors is to add throw rugs. Of course, wearing slippers or shoes will help, too.
3. Reverse the Ceiling Fan Rotation
Use the reverse switch on your ceiling fan if it has one. Doing so will make the direction of your ceiling fan blades spin clockwise, drawing cold air upward and forcing warmer air downward.
4. Close the Chimney Flue
If you aren’t using your chimney, close the flue and draft, if it has both. Chimneys left open draw the heat out from your home, so the room with the roaring fire (or gas logs) often looks cozy but isn’t.
You can also block potential chimney drafts with fireplace insulation, chimney pillows and/or flue blockers. Just remember to remove the materials if you decide to light the fireplace again.
5. Install Door Sweeps
If exterior doors have gaps between their bottom edge and the flooring, cold air can seep in, along with dirt, dust, bugs and smoke. You can easily install door sweeps − bottom-of-door-mounted weatherstripping that seal the gaps so chilly air stays outside where it belongs. Choices include strip, under-door and bristle varieties.
6. Plug Holes with Foam Sealant
Speaking of gaps, under-sink pipes in your kitchen, bathrooms and utility room might have small openings that welcome cold air inside. Easily fill those gaps with spray-in polyurethane foam sealant.
7. Cover Windows with Thermal Curtains
Unlike regular curtains, thermal ones have a thin layer of acrylic foam that insulates windows – especially helpful if you have older windows with worn-out seals. If the seals aren’t eliminating air infiltration, caulk the perimeter of the window frames. Then, hang thermal curtains to stop chilly drafts and keep your interior spaces warmer.
8. Use Shrink-Wrap Kits on Windows
If you prefer to let natural sunlight in, then thermal curtains aren’t for you. Another option to keep air from seeping in is to cover windows with shrink-to-fit window insulator kits.
9.Schedule an HVAC System Checkup
Get your HVAC system inspected and maintained by a licensed, professional contractor to make sure it’s running properly and efficiently.
10.Upgrade to an energy efficient, all-electric heat pump
If service calls are frequent, it might be time for a replacement. If so, consider an energy-efficient, all-climate heat pump from Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for tax credits or other monetary incentives provided through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
It’s Cool to Be Warm
When the weather outside is frightful, you can lower your heating bills by implementing these easy-to-do tips to keep your family warmer. You can also call your local utility company to ask for other recommendations for heating your home without spending a fortune.
