The wintertime is a great opportunity to spend time indoors with the family and enjoy some delicious hot chocolate. But for all too many households, the increased heating costs make the colder winter months less than desirable. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to keep utility payments low during the winter.
How to lower your home heating bill
There are certain things every homeowner can do each month to keep the heating bill cost as low as possible while still enjoying a warm and comforting feel indoors. The following are three useful tips on how to keep your heating bills low during the wintertime.
Insulate your home
One of the main keys to a low heating bill during the wintertime is proper home insulation. Tiny cracks and openings in your home can allow for cold air to come in and cause the heat to run for longer periods of time each day. It is important to seal any openings in doors and windows, which can reduce heat loss in your home by up to 12 percent. Curtains are also your best friend when it comes to lowering heating costs. Be sure to keep the curtains closed at night and on colder days, and open them up on sunny days to let the light shine in. For those who are interested in lowering heating costs long-term and do not mind making a more significant investment, replacing the windows with well-insulated double pane windows is an effective insulation strategy as well.
Wear warm clothes
The easiest and most direct way to lower your heating bill this winter is to simply keep your home cooler. On average, homeowners in the United States raise the average temperature in their homes during the winter each time, leading to increased heating costs. To save on your heating bill, consider cutting back the temperature and keeping your thermostat closer to 68 degrees during the day and closer to 60 at night. While it may take some adjusting, wearing a warm sweater and socks while indoors can help you stay warm while you adjust.
Professional inspection
In many instances, the best way to reduce your heating costs during the winter is to spend more upfront. It is most often helpful to call a professional HVAC technician for an annual HVAC checkup. During the visit, they can check the furnace to ensure proper function, change filters and go over every other part of the heating system. If issues exist, the HVAC technician can fix them promptly. This ensures the heating unit works properly and keeps your home at the desired temperature without having to work hard to do so, which in return can lower the heating cost each month.
The bottom line
Of course, properly insulating your home, keeping the thermostat at a lower temperature and ordering a professional inspection are just three of the more effective ways to keep the heating bill low during the winter. Every homeowner should assess their own situation and look for ways for a low-cost, yet comfortable winter experience.
EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates is Murfreesboro’s most innovative real estate team.
EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates
2630 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 896-5656