It’s time to reduce your heating bill. After all, the cold weather is upon us. And it’s not even winter yet. However, soon you’ll need to turn up the heat, and this will increase your heating bill. And most of these tips are also effective for the air conditioning costs. Here’s a few ways to ease the pain of paying for that comfort.

Change your furnace filter

Most of us know that by changing the filter you’ll keep the furnace operating at peak efficiency. Yet, way too many of us don’t change it regularly. Change your filter and the furnace won’t need to work as hard.

Check doors and windows for drafts

If drafts are coming in, it’s costing you money. Seal the drafts with caulk or weather stripping. This will not only save money, it’ll make you more comfortable.

Close the chimney damper

If you have a fireplace, you should only open the damper when using the fireplace. By leaving the damper open, it’s the same as leaving a window open. And it has the same effect on your heating bill.

Turn down the thermostat

When you turn down the heat by one degree, you’ll save about 3 percent on your bill.

Turn the temperature down even further at night

If you throw on an extra blanket you’ll save even more.

A smart thermostat is a wise investment

These gadgets use a timer to turn the furnace on or off. Advanced models can be controlled from a smartphone with an app. You can turn the heat up while you’re driving home.

Use your shades

Open the shades during the day to let sunlight and heat in, close them at night to conserve heat.

Use the ceiling fans

Because heat rises, the ceiling will be warm but your feet may be cold. You should use a fan to circulate the warm air throughout the room and reduce your heating bill.

Do you have enough insulation in the attic

After a snow storm, compare your roof to your neighbor’s roofs. Has the snow melted from your roof before theirs? If yes, you probably need more insulation. A good rule is you should have a minimum of 8-10 inches of insulation in the attic. 14 inches or more is even better and even better way to Reduce Your Heating Bill.

Bottom Line

Spend a little time, maybe a little money. These tips can reduce your energy bill significantly. And, most of these tips can also reduce the air conditioning costs.

When you reach the stage where you’re ready to either buy or sell a home, please call us – Bunny and Art Reiman, Realtors.

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