The following tips will save money and energy while staying comfortable during the cool fall and cold winter months. Many of these tips can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the winter.
If you haven't already, conduct anenergy assessment to determine where to save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.
Also check out no-cost and low-cost tips tosave energy during the spring and summer.
Take Advantage of Heat from the Sun
Open curtains on the south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
Be certain to plant deciduoustrees on the south facing side of the home, especially in proximity to windows. They will let the light and warmth in the windows during the winter and will shade the windows in the summer.
Cover Drafty Windows
Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside ofwindow frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
Find out about otherwindow treatments and coveringsthat can improve energy efficiency.
When you are home and awake, set the thermostat as low as is comfortable.
When you are asleep or out of the house, turn thethermostat back to save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A smart or programmable thermostatcan make it easy to set back your temperature. But make sure the temperature is comfortable for pets!
If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate setting or use a programmable thermostat specially designed for use with heat pumps.
Find and Seal Leaks
Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
Find outhow to detect air leaks.
Learn more aboutair sealing newandexisting homes.
Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
Find out how toselect and apply the appropriate caulk and weatherstripping.
Maintain Your Heating Systems
Schedule routine service for homeheating systems.
Replace furnace and heat pump filtersonce a month or as needed. Find out more about maintaining furnaces or boilersand heat pumps.
Regularly clean the flue vent of wood and pellet burning heaters and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure that itis heating efficiently. Find other maintenance recommendations forwood- and pellet-burning appliances.
Reduce Heat Loss from the Fireplace
Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
When using the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly--approximately 1 inch--and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F.
If the fireplace is never used, plug and seal the chimney flue.
Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
Purchase grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.
Add caulking around the fireplace hearth. Find out more techniques to improve yourfireplace or wood-burning appliance's efficiency. Learn tips for safe and efficientfireplace installation and wood burning.
Lower Water Heating Costs
Keep the temperature of the water heater to the warm setting (120°F). This will not only save energy, it will also help avoid scalding.
Find other ideas forenergy-efficient water heating.
Lower Holiday Lighting Costs
Use light-emitting diode (LED) holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating the home for the winter holidays.
Learn about theadvantages and potential cost savingsof LED holiday light strings.
Unfortunately, reduced sun exposure can dramatically affect your circadian rhythm, causing your body to produce more melatonin (a.k.a., the sleep hormone). The end result: You feel tired more often. Less vitamin D. Sunlight is a key source of vitamin D.
Unfortunately, reduced sun exposure can dramatically affect your circadian rhythm, causing your body to produce more melatonin (a.k.a., the sleep hormone). The end result: You feel tired more often. Less vitamin D. Sunlight is a key source of vitamin D.
Insulate your water heater and lower the water temperature to 120 degrees. Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the temperature in your home while you're sleeping or out of the house. Check your furnace and always clean or replace furnace filters once per month.
Fortunately, there are a few simple ways you can reduce your heating costs and save money on your utility bill while still staying toasty in the winter.
You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
Air conditioning uses the most electricity in a home in every region of the US and accounts for 15-23% of the average household consumption. At around 12.5%, space heating has the second largest share of consumption in every region except the South.
Several factors could contribute to feeling more energetic in winter. Cold temperatures may stimulate your body to burn more calories to generate heat, leading to increased energy levels. Additionally, exposure to natural light, even in colder months, can boost mood and energy levels.
Winter laziness can stem from various factors, including reduced sunlight exposure leading to lower serotonin levels, says Dr P Venkata Krishnan, an internal medicine expert. Colder temperatures can also impact your motivation, and there can be changes in your physical activity due to weather conditions.
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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