Lower Temps Don’t Have to Mean Higher Bills

Simple Ways to Stay Warm and Save Money this Winter

October is Energy Awareness Month, and it arrives just as cooler mornings and windy fall days start reminding us that winter is not far away. Before the first hard cold snap, take a little time to look over your home and make sure the heat you pay for stays where it belongs—inside.

For many households, heating is one of the biggest seasonal energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that space heating can account for about 45% of the average American family’s energy bills. That includes more than portable space heaters. Furnaces, heat pumps, baseboard heaters, radiant systems, wood stoves and hot-water radiators all fall under the larger category of home heating.

Seal up drafts

One of the simplest and most affordable ways to save energy is to stop air leaks. On a breezy day, check around doors, windows, attic hatches, fireplaces, outlets, plumbing openings and utility access points. If you feel cold air sneaking in, weatherstripping or caulk may be an easy fix. Single-pane windows can also benefit from storm windows or window-insulating kits.

Give your heating system a hand

A clean system does not have to work as hard. Replace or clean furnace and heat-pump filters as recommended by the manufacturer, and keep vents, registers and baseboard heaters clear of rugs, furniture, dust and pet hair. If your system has not been serviced in a while, fall is a good time to schedule maintenance before contractors get busy with winter calls.

Use the sun and your thermostat wisely

Fall sunshine can still help warm your home. Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day, then close them again after sunset to help hold in the heat. At night or when the house is empty, lower the thermostat if your system allows it. The Department of Energy says homeowners can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day. But too much setback could trigger the backup heat, which would waste the savings. Smart thermostats can help manage setbacks to ensure balance between heating with the heat pump rather than backup heat.

Small changes add up

Sealing drafts, keeping equipment clean, using natural sunlight and adjusting the thermostat can make the home more comfortable while helping manage winter energy bills. For you, that can mean more money left for fuel, groceries and the other essentials that keep daily life moving.

For more home energy-saving ideas, or energy efficiency rebates visit www.columbiarea.coop.

If you have any questions about how to be more energy efficient, please email cdesalvo@columbiarea.coop, or call 509-526-4041.