For as long as anybody can remember, humans have been trying to figure out the cheapest and most effective methods of staying warm in winter. Oftentimes it was a matter of life and death. Heating a home in cold weather is always going to cost, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Make Sure Your Home Is Sealed
Trying to heat a house that’s improperly sealed is an expensive exercise in futility, since precious heat is escaping outdoors and costing you money. Search for air leaks and seal the home with caulk and weather strip. Making sure your home is properly sealed can save you a small fortune in heating expenses. Take the time to make sure your house is properly sealed or else polar bears may get in.
Close Off Unused Areas of the House
If you spend most of your time in the living room, close the vents in the rest of the house so you’re not wasting cash heating empty spaces. This works especially well if the interior walls of your home are well insulated. You can always use concrete to wall off those troublesome areas of the house you never enter.
Heating Maintenance
It’s crucial to make sure the apparatus used to heat your home is in good condition. Some companies, like One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, realize that checking the heater for damage is incredibly important. And don’t forget to change and clean the air filters. This is something that should be done on a six-month basis. Staying up-to-date on maintenance is always a comfortable thing.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
This device will automatically lower the temperature of your home while you are at work each day, and at night when you’ll be buried under a mountain of blankets in bed. By removing human error from the equation, a programmable thermostat helps ensure your heat isn’t being wasted. You can also get a home automation system that controls the temp in the home constantly so you don’t waste money on heating costs.
Bundle Up
The easiest way to save money on heating your home is to simply dress warmly. Wear long sleeve shirts and jeans, and use a blanket when you’re sitting around the house. This will allow you to lower the heat a few degrees and save on heating costs. Those few degrees, and the money they save, can really add up over the course of a winter.
Wood Burning Stove
Using a wood burning stove to heat the home is inexpensive for people with access to a plethora of wood, and the energy to cut that wood themselves. If you live in a heavily wooded area, own an ax or chainsaw, and have the strength to cut enough wood for the winter, a wood burning stove is a great idea. Otherwise, the cost of wood, plus delivery fees, will run about a thousand dollars for the season.
If you follow these tips, you should notice a drastic reduction in your winter heating bills. These simple, common sense ideas will ensure that a frugal family can stay safe and comfortable during the most frigid of seasons.
