Tips For Energy Efficiency During The Winter Months
Winter is upon us, and with the frosty snowfalls and glistening icicles comes the less whimsical side of this magical time of year: increased energy bills. Turns out staying warm and cozy when the nights are crisp and cold can cost a pretty penny! But if you’re looking for ways to trim that utility bill down, we’ve got some tips and tricks to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible while keeping you toasty in the chilly months.
Use Window Curtains Strategically
If your home receives direct sunlight during the day, open up those curtains to warm your house naturally. But be sure to close them back up as soon as the sun sets to contain that warmth and insulate the home at night. In the winter months, swap lightweight curtains for thermal insulated curtains for the best heat conservation and protection against window drafts.
Check For Drafts And Air Leaks
And speaking of drafts, conduct a thorough walk-through of your home to identify any drafts and air leaks. Common locations for air leaks are in and around windows, doors, attics, fireplaces, garages, and basements. Ensure your window and door casings are properly sealed, and consider applying weather stripping to those that are not properly sealed.
Replace Old Windows With Energy Efficient Ones
During your walk-through, you may find that cold air is penetrating your home through your closed windows, even ones that have been properly sealed. This may mean that you have old, cheap-quality, and/or single-paned windows. While you can help the situation by purchasing insulated curtains, the long term solution to this energy suck is replacing those old, poor quality, and/or single-paned windows with new, double-paned windows. This is an investment that will pay off in the long run by better insulating your home in both the winter and summer months. Consider CBM Mart’s selection of windows if you decide to go this route.
Utilize Your Fireplace
If you’ve got a fireplace, use it! There’s nothing cozier than a crackling fire on a cold night, after all. And by warming your space with a fire, your heating unit will catch a little break from maintaining the thermostat’s set temperature. Just make sure you close your fireplace’s damper when it’s not in use. An open damper can allow cold air to waft in from outside.
Adjust Your Water Heater Settings
The standard temperature for hot water heaters is 140°F. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, turning that temperature down to 120°F can save 6% to 10% each year on hot water heating costs. If you don’t want to make that drastic of a temperature change, even adjusting your hot water heater’s settings by a few degrees can make a difference on your expenses.
Lower The Thermostat When Sleeping
When you’re off in dreamland, bundled up in thick cozy blankets, your body does not know if the temperature of your home is 70°F or 63°F. According to energy.gov, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling expenses by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day. So why not take advantage of those hours you’re unconscious?
Use LED Lights for Those Holiday Decorations
A simple swap for energy efficiency, especially around the holiday season, is trading those old Christmas light strands in for LED ones. And while you’re at it, if you haven’t already replaced incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs throughout your home, there’s no time like the present! According to USA Today, switching to LED lights can save the average household $1,000 over a 10-year period. That’s a nice chunk of change that could be better spent on Christmas gifts. Just saying.