With the rising costs of energy, Americans around the country are feeling the squeeze, especially during the winter when it comes to heating the home.
With that said, it’s spring, so you can exhale for a few months. Still, now is the time to prepare for next winter.
If this past year’s bills threw you for a loop, get ready to save a little more next year with the following tips, which include not only some home improvements, but the use of modern electric wall-panel heaters like the Envi.
Fix Up Your Windows
Windows are a huge culprit when it comes to energy loss. Even the best modern heaters can’t win if there are significant insulation issues with your windows. They can be expensive to replace, but there are things you can do to prevent precious heat from escaping without having to invest big bills in an upgrade.
Caulk up any gaps and install weatherstripping to prevent the loss of warm air from your home, and if the areas around the windows are always cold, install thermal curtains and keep them closed when the temperatures dip (with one caveat, see below).
Seal Other Leaks
Your home’s windows are not the only areas prone to heat loss. Doors can also be drafty; install weatherstrips under any doors that lose heat.
There are also other areas in your home that can leak heat, such as uninsulated areas behind fixtures and cabinets, plumbing and electrical penetrations (holes in the walls around pipes and conduits), and gaps around chimneys and lights.
Seal these with caulk, weatherstripping or insulation.
Put the Sun to Work
If you have any south-facing windows and the sun shines on them during the day, let the curtains open for this period of the day, as the sun, even in the winter, can help warm a room.
Just be conscientious about drawing the curtains when the sun isn’t shining.
Use Your Fans
Running a fan does burn electricity, but it will also help keep warm air from pooling around the ceiling, where it will do you little good.
Run your ceiling fans on a low setting when you have the heat running to keep the air circulating in your home.
Install a 220 Electric Heater as a Supplement
Regardless of whether you use electricity, gas or oil for heat in your home, a 220 electric heater from eheat.com may be able to help you cut bills as an effective supplement.
It can most certainly help you if you have electric baseboard heating. These plug-in wall heaters are far more economical (they can run for as little as 4 to 5 cents an hour for the 500 watt version) and are packed with other benefits.
For instance, they are easy to install (and hardwired versions are available), use effective, double-stack convection heating technology, have no moving parts (making them perfect for light sleepers as well as maintenance-free) and are loaded with safety features. They’re also proudly made in the U.S.A.
The bottom line, though, is that they are extremely affordable and may be effective as a heating supplement, especially in colder rooms.
If You Have a Fireplace…
If your home has a fireplace, it can be a great way to supplement your home with heat, but not if you don’t use it.
The flue should always be closed when the fireplace is not in use or cold, dense air will sink into your home. Also, you can buy fireplace plugs to stop down-drafts from chilling your home.
If You Just Cooked…
Whenever you’re using your oven in the winter, after you remove your meal, leave the oven door ajar. That energy will help heat the kitchen (and the home) and you paid for it anyway – there’s no sense in venting it to the outside where it will be wasted!
Start Saving Next Winter
Most of the tips mentioned in this article are actionable for the majority of homeowners around the country – so if you’re looking for ways to save on heating, put some of them into practice next year.
