5 Ways to Save Energy This Winter

Much of the country is buried under winter snows with furnaces and fireplaces blasting out heat. While you may think that winter is a great time to fire up the hearth and cuddle up under a warm blanket, it’s also a time when you may be using more energy than you need.

Many homeowners are shocked at the size of their energy bills during the winter. The main cause of inflated winter energy bills is the lack of proper protection for your home. If your furnace is working overtime to keep up with your heating needs because of drafts or a lack of insulation, you can expect to pay higher bills this winter.

With the help of companies like Energy Texas, you can find the right energy package for your home. But that’s not where the work will end. There are plenty of steps that you can take to help reduce your winter energy consumption. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways to save energy this winter.

Caulking and Weatherstripping

You have a problem if you can feel cold drafts around your windows and doors. Your furnace has to work harder to keep your home comfortable when it is battling drafts in your home. When the snow starts to fly, it’s good to caulk your windows and add weather stripping to your doors to eliminate drafts.

Smart Thermostat

Installing a smart thermostat can help you to save on your energy costs and keep your home comfortable. These programmable smart gadgets can be customized to heat your home when you need it the most. When your home is empty during the day, your smart thermostat will automatically adjust the settings to lower the heat and save energy. Over time, your smart thermostat will use its artificial intelligence prowess to learn your habits and adjust for the most savings.

Vents and Doors

If you have rooms in your home that are rarely used like a spare bedroom, you are throwing money out the window if you keep heating them like the rest of the house. Close the heating vents and the doors to these rooms to keep your heating costs down.

Ceiling Fans

We all know that heat rises, so to help keep your home warmer, you can utilize your ceiling fans to help push that warm air back down to the floor where it is needed. You will need to change the direction of your fan blades.

Furnace Maintenance

Your furnace will work hard to keep your home comfortable over the winter season. Before you turn on your furnace for the first time, it’s a good idea to have it inspected. You should also switch out your furnace filters to help your furnace work more efficiently. If your furnace is not working properly, you could see an unexpected jump in your monthly bills.

As a homeowner, you want to provide your family a safe and warm haven. Staying comfortable during the colder months doesn’t mean paying a fortune for your energy bills. Follow these tips to help you save energy and money this winter.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes