Summer is definitely over. This morning was one of the first frost warnings here in Waterloo, Ontario. With temperatures dipping below zero, it will soon be time to get that furnace running. Here are 5 home heating tips that will help keep you warm and save you big bucks this winter:
1) Install a Programmable Thermostat - these things pay for themselves as soon as you install them. It is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to your home heating and cooling system. You can program your thermostat a few degrees cooler when everybody is away during the day (between 9 am -4 pm). You can also program your thermostat to kick in an hour or so before everybody starts getting home, so you come back to a warm and toasty home. You can also program your thermostat a couple degrees lower when everyone is in bed and tucked under warm covers (between 12 am - 6 am).
This will potentially save you 30% on your heating bill. You can also set your thermostat to a degree or two cooler during the times when you're at home and throw on a sweater. I don't suggest living in a meat locker, but having a pair of warm pajamas can save you tons. Check out this link for more information: save-30-on-your-home-cooling-bills-with.html
2) Change Your Furnace Air Filter - this is really important and should be done every 60 to 90 days when your furnace is running around the clock. It should be changed more frequently if you have pets or live in an older home with older duct work. The furnace has to work a lot harder to heat your home if it can't get proper air flow into your duct work, so be sure to have this checked out before starting up your furnace for the season. This could potentially save you 10% on your heating bill.
3) Seal Drafts - doorways that lead into your home can be very drafty. To seal them up, try attaching a door sealer to the bottom of your door. Windows are areas that lose a lot of heat as well. You can either caulk around the outside of the window with a clear insulating caulking or attach a thin transparent plastic sheet over the inside of the window (like saran wrap). Another trouble spot are fireplaces, be sure to seal these up when you're not using them. This can save you about 5% on your heating bill.
4) Don't Heat Empty Rooms - If there are any rooms or space that you don't use around the house (i.e the basement area), try not to heat these areas. If you have doorways that can block off these areas you can keep them closed. If there are vents that pump warm air into these areas, be sure to close them. You can purchase magnetic vent blockers that attach over the vent and block the warm air. You can also put a small electric space heater in the rooms that you do use if extra heat is required there. This could save 5-10% on your heating bill. An important thing to note is that you never want the temperature to drop too low in your house since it could damage plumbing if the pipes freeze.
5) Let the Sun In - during the day be sure to open up all the blinds and curtains to take full advantage of mother nature's furnace. Letting the sun in can raise the temperature in your home by a couple of degrees. Conversely, during the nights it's best to close all your curtains and blinds to insulate drafty windows and keep the warm air in. This could potentially save 2-5% on your heating bill.
The savings are really heating up with this video:
1) Install a Programmable Thermostat - these things pay for themselves as soon as you install them. It is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to your home heating and cooling system. You can program your thermostat a few degrees cooler when everybody is away during the day (between 9 am -4 pm). You can also program your thermostat to kick in an hour or so before everybody starts getting home, so you come back to a warm and toasty home. You can also program your thermostat a couple degrees lower when everyone is in bed and tucked under warm covers (between 12 am - 6 am).
This will potentially save you 30% on your heating bill. You can also set your thermostat to a degree or two cooler during the times when you're at home and throw on a sweater. I don't suggest living in a meat locker, but having a pair of warm pajamas can save you tons. Check out this link for more information: save-30-on-your-home-cooling-bills-with.html
2) Change Your Furnace Air Filter - this is really important and should be done every 60 to 90 days when your furnace is running around the clock. It should be changed more frequently if you have pets or live in an older home with older duct work. The furnace has to work a lot harder to heat your home if it can't get proper air flow into your duct work, so be sure to have this checked out before starting up your furnace for the season. This could potentially save you 10% on your heating bill.
3) Seal Drafts - doorways that lead into your home can be very drafty. To seal them up, try attaching a door sealer to the bottom of your door. Windows are areas that lose a lot of heat as well. You can either caulk around the outside of the window with a clear insulating caulking or attach a thin transparent plastic sheet over the inside of the window (like saran wrap). Another trouble spot are fireplaces, be sure to seal these up when you're not using them. This can save you about 5% on your heating bill.
4) Don't Heat Empty Rooms - If there are any rooms or space that you don't use around the house (i.e the basement area), try not to heat these areas. If you have doorways that can block off these areas you can keep them closed. If there are vents that pump warm air into these areas, be sure to close them. You can purchase magnetic vent blockers that attach over the vent and block the warm air. You can also put a small electric space heater in the rooms that you do use if extra heat is required there. This could save 5-10% on your heating bill. An important thing to note is that you never want the temperature to drop too low in your house since it could damage plumbing if the pipes freeze.
5) Let the Sun In - during the day be sure to open up all the blinds and curtains to take full advantage of mother nature's furnace. Letting the sun in can raise the temperature in your home by a couple of degrees. Conversely, during the nights it's best to close all your curtains and blinds to insulate drafty windows and keep the warm air in. This could potentially save 2-5% on your heating bill.
The savings are really heating up with this video:
Furnace air filters are removable elements that fit into the furnace, generally close to the air intake. The idea of a furnace air filter is to guard the motor in the furnace unit from small particles of airborne dust that may cause damage to the motor.
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