3 Incredible Ways To Lower Your Home's Energy Bill In The Winter
Homeowners, such as yourself, often look for ways to cut back on energy costs in the winter time. If your heating bill has you cringing upon arrival every month, these incredible tips can help you save money without sacrificing your comfort.
Become a Weather Stripping Expert
The average home loses around a third of its heat around windows and doors. If you often feel a draft around your home's windows and doors, your best bet is to invest in weather stripping. Not only is this an effective way to prevent heat from escaping your home, it is also cost effective. Of course, not all weather stripping is created equal.
Weather stripping comes in various forms and each one offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Know your weather stripping before you make a purchase. The types of weather stripping home owners often use include:
- Tension Seal – Tension seal weather stripping is made of a self-stick strip of vinyl. The strip offers a V-shape that closes of gaps around windows, doors, and electrical outlets to prevent heat loss. Advantages of this weather stripping include durability, invisibility, and effectiveness. However, this weather stripping must be used on a smooth, flat service. It can also be difficult to install.
- Tape – Tape is another popular choice. Tape weather stripping offers a nonporous, foam-like material that is relatively inexpensive, easy to work with, and easy to install. However, it is not as durable as other forms of weather stripping. In fact, you may end up having to replace tape weather stripping every one to two years. Tape weather stripping is also highly visible.
- Magnetic Sealer – Magnetic sealer or weather stripping is similar to the magnetic rubber sealing found on the door of your refrigerator. This is a top-of-the-line weather stripping that offers some of the most effective results. It is fairly easy to work with and install. The only downside is that it is often more expensive than other forms of weather stripping.
Pay Closer Attention to Your Chimney
Although a fireplace is often an attractive feature in a home, it is also an energy waster. You may picture warm, cozy nights snuggled up by the fire, but in reality, a lot of heat escapes your home through the chimney. In truth, the fireplace drains more energy from your home than it saves. Fortunately, you can prevent your chimney from sucking all of your hard earned dollars out the chimney flue.
Many professionals recommend closing off the damper. Although closing the chimney damper is highly recommended, it may not be enough to prevent heat loss. A chimney balloon creates a tight seal in your chimney that prevents hot hair from your furnace from escaping your home. Place the balloon approximately arm's length up your chimney and inflate it. Make sure the balloon fits snugly to prevent hot air from escaping your home.
Tighten Your Threshold for Loss
Where does your threshold for heat loss end? A few dollars of heat loss a year? A few hundred? The best way to prevent heat loss is to block off any and every escape route possible, and that includes the thresholds for your home's entryways. If you can see daylight peeking in under the doors in your home, it means your threshold is not high enough to create a tight seal.
In most cases, the threshold is held in place by approximately 4-5 screws. Those screws also allow you to adjust the height of your threshold. Use a screwdriver to turn the screws counterclockwise, which allow you to raise the threshold ever so slightly. If raising the threshold proves ineffective at blocking light under your door, you may have to add a board under the threshold to raise it even higher.
When raising the threshold, make sure it is high enough to block any light from peeking in under your doorways. However, do not raise it so high that it interferes with opening and closing the door. If the threshold prevents you from properly opening and closing your door, it can create yet another heat loss problem for you to deal with.
Each of these tips can help you effectively lower your home's heating bill. Of course, if you do not notice a reduction in your heating bill, there could be a problem with the heating unit. Ask a professional to inspect your unit for problem. You may find it is time to replace your unit. Fortunately, a professional can assist you with proper heating installation for your home. Check out sites like http://www.glendaleheating.com for more info.
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