Chilly mornings and nights are starting to occur here. I had vowed to not turn on the heat for at least another week, but when I returned from taking the kids to the park, I found that my husband had given in. He was working from home and doesn’t have my stubborness for saving on home heating costs.
It is really the time to start getting prepared for winter and saving as much heat as possible. In the previous blog, I talked about two methods for saving on home heating. Now, here are some more.
Service your furnace or heating system every year. If you have a full-service fuel provider, this service may be included in your service contract. Even if it is not, having the furnace cleaned every year is a good idea. Not only will this lower the risk that your furnace will break down in the middle of winter, but it will also make your heating system run more efficiently. The cost for this cleaning could be anywhere from $85 to $100.
Consider adding ceiling fans to your rooms. Not only will the ceiling fans help cool your home in the summer, but when you reverse them, they will force warm air down to where you are, making you more comfortable and reduce the amount of time that your furnace is running. Ceiling fans also add value to your home.
Use the sun to your advantage. Open up blinds and curtains for windows that will let in a lot of sun. In the evening or for opposite-facing windows, keep the blinds and windows closed to retain heat in the house. consider purchasing or making insulating shade, curtains, blinds or drapes. The sun is free, so let it heat your house. Trim back any evergreens or bushes in front of these windows that might block out the sun.
Mary Ann Romans.
This Winter Will Be a Cold One!
Home Heating Costs: Have You Done the Snow Test?
One Simple Way to Lower Your Heating Cost
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