You shouldn’t have to worry about paying a lot of money to heat your home once it gets colder. You can reduce the amount of energy you’re using by simply making a few adjustments around your house. Here are four ways that you can keep your family warm while conserving energy.
Let Some Sun In
It’s a good idea to draw the curtains to your south-facing windows in order to reap the benefits of the sun’s rays. The sun will add heat your home and the natural light is good for your overall mood. You can also take advantage of morning and evening sun coming in from your windows that face east and west.
If you have some darker rooms in your house, there are many decorative tricks that will help you bring in natural light. Maximizing the amount of sunlight that comes into your home will allow you to lower the temperature of your thermostat and save money on your energy bill.
Update Your HVAC Unit
During the winter, your furnace quickly becomes the most important appliance in your home so it’s a good idea to make sure it’s working properly. Many furnaces start to have problems after 10-15 years of use and older appliances often cost more to run than newer energy-efficient models.
It’s easy to forget about your furnace until there is a problem and it’s best to do a quick check before it gets cold outside. You can call a service professional who will make sure your furnace is ready for winter and they will inform you of ways that you can update your appliances in order to qualify for rebates that will save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill.
Change the Direction of Your Ceiling Fan
It’s smart to change the direction of your ceiling fan when the weather gets colder. If you run your ceiling fan blades in a clockwise direction during the wintertime, it will help heat your home by pulling the cool air up and keeping the warmer air in the room.
You can switch your fans quickly and easily in a few easy steps: making sure the fan is off, finding the switch that controls the direction of the blades and turning the fan back on at a low speed.
Check Windows and Doors for Leaks
You can light a candle and hold it close to the caulking of your closed windows and doors in order to check for air leakage. If the flame moves, it could mean that air is leaking and that you need to do a touch up. It’s easy to fix leaks in doors and windows with some window caulk and a little handy work.
These small leaks may seem insignificant, but fixing them will keep warm air from escaping so your furnace doesn’t have to work on overdrive.
Making these simple adjustments around the house will help you keep your environment cozy while you save money on your energy bill. Follow these steps to save time and money for what matters, winter fun with the whole family.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
