Today, I am going to talk about more ways to warm up your home during these cold winter days without turning up your thermostat.
Don’t underestimate the value of cleaning or replacing your furnace filters once a month when you are using the heat. If the filters are dirty, it restricts the airflow and uses more energy. You can also get a permanent filter, which will not only reduce the waste of the old filters, but also the hassle of changing them. However, the permanent filters may not come cheap – they can cost between $50 to $1,000 and more.
While you may remember to give your car the occasional tune-up, don’t forget your heating equipment could use one as well. By having such things done as cleaning the furnace and making sure everything is properly lubricated and adjusted, you can save as much as 5% on your heating costs. Check with your local utilities company to see if they offer any free or discounted checkups. If not, see if your furnace manufacturer offers any types of discounts.
If you are really serious about conservation, consider purchasing an energy monitor. It will cost you about $139, but this handy little device shows how much electricity your household is using in real time. It is also handy if you are on a budget because it will calculate your estimated monthly bill. Maybe by seeing how much you are spending, your desire to cut down will be increased.
Insulating your pipes is not only a good way to pay less for hot water, it is also a way to decrease the chances of suffering from frozen pipes, which can break and then run up repair costs. How do you know if your pipes need to be insulated? Touch them and if they feel warm to the touch, chances are they need to be insulated. You can insulate the pipes yourself by purchasing pre-slit pipe foam at your local home repair retailer. If your hot water heater is also warm to the touch, it may benefit from insulation as well.
(This image is a work of a Federal Emergency Management Agency employee, taken or made during the course of an employee’s official duties. As works of the U.S. federal government, all FEMA images are in the public domain.)
