It may not be as cold as it could get in winter yet, but now’s the perfect time to start drilling down the habit of saving electricity when you can. Prepare a list of things you should do before winter fully sets in and don’t forget to include the following:
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Don’t bother heating rooms that aren’t in use
If you have rooms that you never use, like guest rooms or large storage areas, close and seal off the vents in those rooms to be more energy efficient and direct the flow of air to the rooms you use most. Energy bills run, on average, $183 per month. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and setting the thermostat to 62 degrees, you can save approximately $200 each year. Source: Money.USNews
Insulate the attic
Cover up the attic entry with plastic, pieces of insulation, old blankets, weather stripping, saran wrap, painter drop cloth, or even a few old shirts. Any of it will help to slow, if not, stop, the drafts and warm air from floating away through your roof. Heat rises and may be getting pulled right up through the attic so you may not notice a cold draft even though your expensive hot air is floating away. Source: TheBalance
Adjust the thermostat
A couple degrees cooler when you’re away or asleep can make a big difference on your heating bill (without any sacrifice from you).
Tip: Get a programmable thermostat, and let it make the adjustments for you. Source: TheSpruce
Switch to a tankless water heater
Considering water heating costs account for 11 percent of your utility bills, switching out your water heater can drastically cut energy bills, according to This Old House. Consider gas and solar options, many of which are tankless to maximize efficiency.
“Traditional water heaters maintain a full tank of warm water, which requires constant energy to keep warm,” said Than Merrill, founder and CEO of the real estate investment education company FortuneBuilders. “Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, only heat water on demand. That way, you do not have the extra energy consumption occurring when hot water is not being used.” Source: Time
Carpet can provide good insulation for your floors, especially if you choose the thicker type with underlay. Give us a call and we can help you pick a carpet that would be perfect for your home all year-round.
