Easy Ways to Cut Heating Costs

As the temperature drops, there are a number of smart home improvements a homeowner can make to trim a little off of the energy bills…

Probably the easiest step a homeowner can take to reduce energy costs is to lower the thermostat.  According to a Green Matters series by G.E. Miller, every degree a homeowner can lower their thermostat translates to almost a 5% decrease in heating expenses.  Consider using a programmable thermostat to set your home’s temperature around 65-70 during the day, and around 60 at night.  Using space heaters to heat specific rooms of your home (i.e. your home office), when others aren’t being used, will allow you to keep the thermostat down low.

Sealing or re-insulating areas that are prone to energy loss (windows, doors, attics, and ducting) can also have a great affect on your winter energy costs.  Taking the time to wrap windows in plastic, or placing foam or rubber seals in doorways can instantly remove the drafty feeling from older homes.  Wrapping your furnace in a thermal blanket (from the harware store) is an additional step that can be cheaply taken to save big money.

These simple steps will go a long way towards reducing your winter heating expenses… and as always, you can check out the Smart HomeOwner website for more ways to save money by cutting energy costs.