Heating your home throughout the winter can be costly, especially for homeowners with older homes. Small gaps in your home or damaged exterior products may seem harmless but can contribute to significant energy loss and high energy costs over time. Keep dollars in your pocket this winter with our cost-effective strategies for keeping your home cozy and warm.
1. Seal Any Leaks
Identifying any sources of heat loss in your home can dramatically change your costs, especially for older homes. Gaps in windows and doors are a major source of heat loss, along with attics and gaps from pipes or wiring.
Signs of gaps or leaks in your home include:
- Drafty windows or doors
- Condensation on the interior side of the glass
- Visible gaps around electrical outlets, wiring or frames
- Abnormally high heating or cooling costs
Upgrading your exterior products, using correct weatherstripping and caulking techniques and conducting seasonal inspections of your home will help you to trap heat inside, lowering your energy costs.
2. Install Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats, also known as clock thermostats, allow you to adjust the temperature of your home based on a programmed schedule or cycle. While you’re out for the day at work or running errands, you can set the thermostat to a cooler temperature to keep costs low. It may take some time to determine what temperature schedule is best for your home, but once perfected, programmable thermostats save energy—and dollars!
3. Conduct Heating System Maintenance
Regardless of your HVAC system, routine maintenance should be completed at least once a year. You’ll give ample time for a professional to make necessary repairs without sacrificing your comfort, plus ensure your system’s efficiency. Changing filters, clearing debris from vents and cleaning outdoor units can be done on your own, but an HVAC professional should be called for repairs, advanced maintenance or replacements.
4. Try Zone Heating
Zone heating enables you to section your home and heat it accordingly via dampers. Dampers are plates or valves that control the flow of air and heat throughout your home, and for a zoned heating system, those decisions are made by thermostats placed in each zone or section of your home. For homes that experience hot or cold spots with their central system, zoned heating enables you to live comfortably throughout your home.
5. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
As we mentioned before, outdated or damaged windows and doors drain heat from your home if they go unnoticed. Whether heat escapes through a warped frame, cracked glass or improper installation, you could lose anywhere between 25%–30% of heating and cooling energy. Drafty windows and doors don’t improve with time, so addressing the problem as soon as possible is a critical step in preventing your energy costs from skyrocketing.
Save More with Window World of Beaumont
Keep your home comfortable all year long with custom replacement windows from Window World. Increase your home’s energy efficiency and shave dollars off of your monthly utility bill when you get started today!