Heating your home throughout the winter can be costly, especially for homeowners with older homes, where insulation and sealing may have deteriorated over time. Small gaps in your home or damaged exterior products may initially seem harmless but can contribute to significant energy loss and high energy costs over time. Keep dollars in your pocket this winter with our cost-effective strategies for sustainably heating your home.
Seal Any Leaks
Identifying and repairing any sources of heat loss in your home can dramatically change your monthly utility costs. Gaps in windows and doors or around pipes and wiring in your attic are just two of the major contributors to heat loss.
Signs of gaps or leaks in your home include:
- Drafty windows or doors
- Condensation on the interior of window panes
- Visible gaps around electrical outlets, wiring or frames
- Abnormally high heating or cooling costs
Using correct weatherstripping and caulking techniques and conducting seasonal inspections of your home will help you to keep heat inside your home and lower your energy costs.
Install Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats, also known as clock thermostats, allow you to adjust the temperature of your home based on a programmed schedule or cycle. While you’re at work, running errands or away on a trip, you can set the thermostat to a cooler temperature to avoid heating an empty house. It may take some time to determine what temperature schedule is best for your home, but once perfected, programmable thermostats save energy—and dollars!
Conduct Heating System Maintenance
Regardless of your HVAC system, routine maintenance should be completed at least once a year. In doing so, any necessary repairs will be completed before temperatures drop, keeping your system running efficiently. Changing filters, clearing debris from vents and cleaning outdoor units can be done on your own, but an HVAC professional should be called for repairs, advanced maintenance or replacements.
Try Zone Heating
Zone heating enables you to section your home and heat it accordingly via dampers. Dampers are plates or valves that control the flow of air and heat throughout your home; for a zoned heating system, those decisions are made by thermostats placed in each zone or section of your home. If your home’s central system creates hot or cold spots, zoned heating will allow for more consistent heating throughout your home.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
As we mentioned before, outdated or damaged windows and doors drain heat from your home. If your heat is escaping through a warped frame, cracked glass or improper installation, you could lose anywhere between 25%–30% of heating and cooling energy. Drafty windows and doors don’t improve with time, so addressing the problem as soon as possible is a critical step in preventing your energy costs from skyrocketing.
Save More with Window World of Jersey Coast
Keep your home comfortable all year long with custom replacement windows from Window World of Akron. Increase your home’s energy efficiency and shave dollars off of your monthly utility bill when you get started with our team today!