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These 4 Energy-Saving Hacks Will Help Save You Money on Heating

Energy Efficiency

As a popular TV show proclaims, “Winter is coming.” But these words don’t have to strike terror into your heart as you picture energy bills with heart-stopping amounts.

By following these four energy-saving hacks, you will save money on heating this season.

1. Get New Weather Stripping

Insulated WindowOld and worn weather stripping around doors and windows can be letting cold air in, prompting you to turn up the heat to stay warm.

Replacing the weather stripping can stop up to 12% of your home’s heat loss. And it’s as simple as pulling off the old weather stripping and tacking on the new.

While we’re on the subject of window and door frames, you can also caulk cracks or use expanding foam to fill large or irregularly shaped holes.

While windows are great for letting in light, they can also let in the cold if they are not properly insulated. One fast fix to seal them is to use heavy plastic film that works like cling wrap.

2. Plug Breaches in Exterior Walls

Window Caulk There are often draft-emitting gaps around the pipes, gas lines and electrical cables that come into your home.

The caulk around them may have cracked peeled, fallen or been improperly applied.

Not only is cold air let in but also it provides easy access for rodents and insects. You can seal gaps with expanding foam and caulk around pipes.

Ceiling Fan

3. Go with Better Airflow

If you maintain an even temperature throughout your house, your heating system doesn’t have to work so hard to maintain it. Often temperature discrepancies are caused by hot air that rises and cold air that settles.

You can use fans to move the air around, mixing it, to achieve a consistent temperature. If you have ceiling fans, try reversing the spinning direction of the blades, so the cold air is pulled up and be mixed with the warm air.

4. Don’t Lose Heat Up Your Chimney

Insulated HomeFireplaces are great in winter when you have fires going. When they’re not in use, warm air can escape up the chimney, even with the damper closed. (If you leave the damper open, it’s the same as leaving a window open in the dead of winter.)

If you don’t use the fireplace, you should plug and seal the chimney flue. If you do, you can buy an inflatable chimney balloon to plug it when you don’t have fires going.

Other fireplace energy-saving measures include caulking around the fireplace hearth and checking the seal around the fireplace flue damper, making sure that it is as snug as possible. You can also consider installing tempered glass doors and putting in a heat-air exchange system that redirects warmed air back into the room.

Then settle in and enjoy a long, cold winter in the comfort of your efficiently heated home.