Four Ways to Save on Utilities This Winter

Wow! This winter seems like one of the coldest I can remember in a long time. Okay, I might actually say that every year, but I always believe it’s true. More and more often, I find myself tip-toeing over to the thermostat in the house to see if it’s really 68 degrees in our house. I keep thinking that I could be comfortable if I just turn it up a couple of degrees. Then, the thought of the cost of gas and electricity causes me to shuffle back to my office and pull a blanket over my lap.

You don’t have to be miserable this winter, though, to keep your utilities affordable. Implementing four simple steps should help you keep your home comfortable and your pocketbook, too.

Do a quick home inspection. If you walk around your home in the winter, odds are that you can feel any problem areas. Doors that are drafty and windows that let air in and out of your home are your enemy when it comes to keeping utility costs low. Replacing worn weather-stripping is easy to do and may be all it takes to stop those bothersome drafts. You can also buy insulation kits to place over your windows if you think your glass is allowing too much heat to transfer out of your house.

Turn your thermostat down one degree lower than you’re used to. My whining aside, you really won’t notice one degree of change in your home’s temperature. You will, however, notice the difference in your heating bill. Try it and you’ll see.

Change the filters in your HVAC system. Although it’s easy to forget to take care of this simple maintenance task, you’ll be glad you remembered when you get your utility bill. Changing the filter in your system allows your heating unit to run much more efficiently. You’ll get more energy out of it without putting more into it. (Is there something like this I can use on myself?)

Check out your attic. You’ve heard a thousand times that heat rises, right? Well, if you don’t have some type of insulation in the top of your house, your heat may be rising right out through the roof. You can insulate your attic yourself in an afternoon, or two, but you’ll reap the benefits for as long as you own your home.

For more great content, remember to subscribe to my RSS feed. Subscribe