As winter embraces us for the coming months, we must brace for the inevitable hike in energy costs and the chilly weather that lies ahead. Though spring feels like a distant dream, the immediate necessity is to plan for the cold and invest wisely to secure notable savings in store. By spending judiciously now on energy-efficient strategies, you can significantly lower your bills and, in the process, transform your home into a more energy-efficient habitat. Such homes can save you up to 30% on heating and cooling expenses compared to less efficient homes. Combining this with searching for the most economical gas and electricity deals, you can weather the winter comfortably.
1. Install storm doors or storm windows to deter the intrusion of cold air and the escape of warm air, which could help curb your heating expenses by around 25%. Carry out a basic energy audit within your home with a stick of incense. Light it near a closed window and observe the smoke’s direction. Conduct the process for every window and make a note of vital insights such as smoke direction. Rerun the test on a gusty day to see if the smoke direction alters. The use of sturdy, energy-efficient storm doors or windows can curtail air exchange rates by as much as 80%.
2. Resort to timers for efficient thermostat regulation. It is unnecessary to keep heating or cooling your unoccupied home, although fluctuating temperatures excessively may cause heating systems to overwork during times of high use. Lowering the thermostat by a small margin of 10 degrees during winter, when the house is unoccupied, can offer a 10% savings in heating costs for an average family working five days a week. Given eight hours or more of reduced temperatures, a well-insulated house will not experience a significant temperature shift. By using timers or programmable thermostats, heat can be reduced half an hour before the last person leaves the house and increased half an hour before their arrival. Lowering the thermostat during late-night hours will further cut costs without discomforting the household members.
3. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period, be it a short vacation or an overnight trip, adjust your thermostat accordingly to save on heating costs.
4. Keep your drapes and window shades open during daylight hours in the winter. Using natural light enhances the heating process in the house. Remember to close blinds or curtains once dusk arrives to retain the warmth. Natural daylight not only heats your space but can also cheer up those affected by the shorter winter days.
5. To prevent heat loss in winter, seal any windows without storm windows with a heat shrunk, crystal clear plastic window wrap. This step alone can substantially reduce air exchange for older windows, giving them the same efficiency of up to 80% as newer models.
