Best Ways to Lower Fuel Costs in the Winter
Home heating is a necessity in any home. Unfortunately, as the weather gets colder many of our bills increase. With an economy that is slowly turning around, keeping our costs down is essential. There are some simple things we can do to decrease our fuel costs during the colder months.
Adjusting the Thermostats
One of the simplest things we can do to help defray winter fuel costs is simply adjusting our thermostats. Try to turn down the temperature during the day by a single degree. Before you go to bed consider setting the thermostat to 60 or 65. For each degree you lower it by you can expect to see about a 3% savings in your fuel costs.
Insulated Window Coverings
Another easy way to lower your bills is to invest in insulated drapes or curtains. Open the drapes during the day for windows that see sunlight. Close them again in the evening. This will allow the sun to provide natural heat, and the insulated drapes will help keep the heat indoors and prevent heat loss through the windows at night.
Check Caulk and Weatherstripping
A lot of heat is lost through switch plates, outlets, baseboards, window frames, and door frames. You can spend a few bucks on some winter weatherstripping and upgrade any caulk around windows. This simple investment can lower your winter fuel costs by as much as 20%.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
Reversing your ceiling fans during the winter will help push warm air back down in to the living area of any room. To avoid the cooling effect keep the fans on the lowest setting.
Have Your Furnace Serviced
If you have a newer furnace you more than likely have a service contract that will cover an annual inspection. Even if you do not have a service contract, it is a good idea to pay to have a technician come out and inspect the furnace before the start of the winter season. This will alert you to any areas where efficiency is a problem, and allow you to have these problems corrected before they start costing you money.
Consider Upgrading Your Furnace
If you have the money available, upgrading your furnace can drastically lower your fuel costs. Depending on where you live and what type of furnace you are upgrading with, you may qualify for rebates on your taxes. Some other benefits aside from lower fuel costs could be discounts on insurance plans and state rebate programs.
Do Not Forget the Hot Water Heaters
Hot water heaters are another source of increased fuel costs, especially in the winter. Many people do not realize how much more hot water is used during the colder months. The heat can also be lost through older pipes that are not insulated. You can insulate your water pipes so they will retain heat more efficiently. You should also have this inspected occasionally. A good time to do this is when you have your furnace inspected.
About the Author:
The author, Jerry Brockman, is a co-owner of Controlled Air located at 21210 Eaton Avenue in Farmington, Minnesota. Serving the south metro area for over 30 years, Jerry continues to be highly involved in service and installations for Controlled Air on a daily basis.
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