Guide to Cutting Winter Energy Bills
The cost of energy for your home can get very expensive, especially in winter. The bills for energy can cut deep into your budget. By using some simple methods, you can cut the cost of winter energy bills.
Most everyone is trying to find ways to save money. The cost of everything is going up and the cost of energy for your home is no exception. Each year we normally hear about companies wanting a raise. The regular cost is high enough, but each time they get a raise, it can impact a household budget even more. This cuts even more into the consumer's budget, especially in winter. There are simple methods you can use to lower the cost of winter energy bills. How can you cut winter energy costs?
In the Kitchen
Many people will stock their freezer and refrigerators with more food than usual in winter. Unforunately, overstocking your refrigerator or freezer can cause more energy to be used because of inadequate air flow. Make sure you don't overstock to the point air cannot circulate properly.
If you own a toaster oven, make use of it if you are cooking small meals or simply reheating something. A toaster oven takes less energy than heaing a full-size oven. A slow cooker will also save in the cost of energy. A lot of winter meals can easily be made in a slow cooker.
Around the House
When buying new appliances or electronics, be sure to check the energy rating information. You may get a great deal on a product, but the energy efficiency may leave a lot to be desired. You have to think beyond the initial purchase and think about what you will be paying to use the item.
On sunny days, open all blinds and curtains to allow nature to help heat your home. Even on cold winter days, this can help.
Unplug items that are not in use, such as toasters, computers, etc. Even though they are turned off, they can suck up the energy.
When possible, use indoor racks to dry clothes on since you can't hang them outdoors. This may not be possible for all your laundry, but you can save money by drying on racks as much as possible.
Change furnace filters frequently. The better the air flow, the more energy efficient your system will run.
Lower the thermostat to your heating system and wear more clothing. You may feel cold at first, but you will gradually adjust to the lower temperatures.
Check all doors and repair any hinges that may prevent doors from closing all the way. This can cause a leak that will allow cold air to come into your home and run up your heating bills. WD-40 often does the trick in helping doors close all the way.
Check your ceiling fan to make sure the reverse switch is on. This will move warm air downward into the room.
If you have older windows that let cold air in, cover them with clear plastic. This can help a great deal. I even use an old shower curtain liner over windows. The plastic is very thick and works quite well.
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How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day. These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills. Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts. But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes. Attic Stairs An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling. Whole House Fans and AC Returns An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired. Fireplaces A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces. An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after. Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape. If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes. Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit http://www.batticdoor.com