9 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill This Winter
While we've been experiencing a rather warm beginning to our winter season here at the Lake of the Ozarks, the cold winter weather is on it's way. Along with the cold comes an increase in energy use, as well as an increase in that price on your electric bill. In addition to making sure your Lake of the Ozarks roof is in good condition to keep cold air out, here are a few tips to help you keep your electric bill down this winter:
Now is the time to have your furnace looked at. It's important to make sure it is in proper working condition before we get a big snow storm and that temperature drops way below zero. You don't want your furnace to go out in the middle of the night, leaving you and your family freezing. Throughout the year, be sure to regularly replace the filter as well.
Why heat your house when no one is home? When you leave for work, be sure to turn your thermostat down. However, don't turn it all the way off, even if you're going to be gone on vacation; you don't want your pipes to freeze. If you're going to be away for awhile, leave it around 55° F. At night, you can use extra blankets to keep warm instead of cranking up the heat.
Weather proof your home to keep the warm air inside! Seal any air leaks around windows with caulk. If needed, replace your weather stripping around your doors as well. Take a look at the ductwork as well, using a mastic sealant or metal tape to cover any leaks.
A properly insulated attic is going to help keep both the cold air out and warm air in. Even if you're attic is properly insulated, the access door may not. Be sure to insulate it so the warm air is not only staying in your house, but staying down in the living areas where you want it.
Keep warm air from escaping up the chimney. Fireplaces can be great, but when there's not a fire burning, your warm indoor air can escape the house through the chimney. Even when the chimney flue is closed, some warm air can still escape, so you might consider purchasing a chimney balloon.
You can reduce heat loss by up to 25% just by reinforcing your windows. Storm windows are easy to install and are much cheaper than replacing your windows altogether. Another option is to cover your windows and sliding glass doors with an inexpensive clear plastic film. When spring rolls around, it's really easy to remove the film.
Rather than trying to keep the entire house toasty warm all the time, consider investing in a space heater. Use the heater in the room/rooms you use the most and keep your overall heater turned down. You can stay warm where you are without wasting energy heating the rooms that aren't in use.
In order to provide even heating, the air needs a clear path into the room. If your heating registers are covered with rugs or low-sitting furniture, that warm air can get trapped. This will make the furnace work harder to heat the room.
While it may be cold outside, the winter sun can still be used to help heat your home. If the sun is shining, be sure to open those curtains to let those rays in. However, if the sun isn't out, be sure to close them as an extra layer of insulation between your room and the exterior of that window.
One of the best ways to save on your electric bill is to make sure your roof is in proper working condition, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. Schedule your free roof inspection at the Lake of the Ozarks today. Now is the perfect time for us to take a look at your roof before the snow and ice arrive this winter! Give Above & Beyond a Roofing a call at 573-302-0354 today!
Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn and Subscribe to our Blog!!
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1. Furnace Tune-Up.
Now is the time to have your furnace looked at. It's important to make sure it is in proper working condition before we get a big snow storm and that temperature drops way below zero. You don't want your furnace to go out in the middle of the night, leaving you and your family freezing. Throughout the year, be sure to regularly replace the filter as well.
2. Adjust Your Thermostat Throughout the Day.
Why heat your house when no one is home? When you leave for work, be sure to turn your thermostat down. However, don't turn it all the way off, even if you're going to be gone on vacation; you don't want your pipes to freeze. If you're going to be away for awhile, leave it around 55° F. At night, you can use extra blankets to keep warm instead of cranking up the heat.
3. Eliminate Drafts.
Weather proof your home to keep the warm air inside! Seal any air leaks around windows with caulk. If needed, replace your weather stripping around your doors as well. Take a look at the ductwork as well, using a mastic sealant or metal tape to cover any leaks.
4. Increase Attic Insulation.
A properly insulated attic is going to help keep both the cold air out and warm air in. Even if you're attic is properly insulated, the access door may not. Be sure to insulate it so the warm air is not only staying in your house, but staying down in the living areas where you want it.
5. Choke Your Chimney.
Keep warm air from escaping up the chimney. Fireplaces can be great, but when there's not a fire burning, your warm indoor air can escape the house through the chimney. Even when the chimney flue is closed, some warm air can still escape, so you might consider purchasing a chimney balloon.
6. Install Storm Windows.
You can reduce heat loss by up to 25% just by reinforcing your windows. Storm windows are easy to install and are much cheaper than replacing your windows altogether. Another option is to cover your windows and sliding glass doors with an inexpensive clear plastic film. When spring rolls around, it's really easy to remove the film.
7. Invest in a Space Heater.
Rather than trying to keep the entire house toasty warm all the time, consider investing in a space heater. Use the heater in the room/rooms you use the most and keep your overall heater turned down. You can stay warm where you are without wasting energy heating the rooms that aren't in use.
8. Keep Heating Registers Clear.
In order to provide even heating, the air needs a clear path into the room. If your heating registers are covered with rugs or low-sitting furniture, that warm air can get trapped. This will make the furnace work harder to heat the room.
9. Use Blinds and Curtains to Your Advantage.
While it may be cold outside, the winter sun can still be used to help heat your home. If the sun is shining, be sure to open those curtains to let those rays in. However, if the sun isn't out, be sure to close them as an extra layer of insulation between your room and the exterior of that window.
One of the best ways to save on your electric bill is to make sure your roof is in proper working condition, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. Schedule your free roof inspection at the Lake of the Ozarks today. Now is the perfect time for us to take a look at your roof before the snow and ice arrive this winter! Give Above & Beyond a Roofing a call at 573-302-0354 today!
Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn and Subscribe to our Blog!!
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