The Best Ways To Reduce Heating Costs at Home

Keeping the house warm and cozy for the family during the colder months is a top priority, but it doesn’t have to come with a shockingly high heating bill. With a few smart adjustments around the home, you can keep everyone comfortable while also saving a significant amount of money. Here are some practical ways to reduce your home heating costs.

Seal Drafts and Insulate Your Home

A surprising amount of heat can escape through small cracks and gaps throughout your house. Start by checking for drafts around common problem areas like windows, doors, electrical outlets, and where pipes enter the house. A simple way to find them is to carefully hold a lit candle or incense stick near these spots; if the flame flickers, you’ve found a draft.

If you find anything, use weatherstripping around doors and windows and apply caulk to fill any gaps. Don’t forget to check the attic. Ensuring it has proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to prevent heat from rising and escaping right out of your home.

Optimize Your Thermostat

There’s no need to heat an empty house or keep it extra toasty while everyone is bundled up in bed. Lowering the thermostat a few degrees when you’re away or asleep is a great way to reduce the heating costs of your home.

For even better control and convenience, consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices can automatically adjust the temperature based on your family’s schedule, keeping the house warm when you need it and saving energy when you don’t.

Maintain Your Heating System

Just like a car, your heating system needs regular tune-ups to run efficiently. Schedule a professional maintenance check for your furnace or boiler at least once a year, ideally before the cold weather sets in. This ensures it’s running safely and at peak performance. Don’t forget to replace the filter as well.

If your home uses baseboard heaters, you should have them checked if they’re not performing as well as they used to. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve the efficiency of your baseboard heaters on your own before calling a professional.

Use Energy-Efficient Heating Solutions

If your heating system is old, it might be time for an upgrade. Modern, energy-efficient appliances like heat pumps or high-efficiency furnaces can drastically reduce your energy consumption. While it’s an initial investment, the long-term savings often make it worthwhile.

For a more immediate and targeted approach, use space heaters to warm up just the room you’re in, like the living room during family movie night or a home office during the day. If you own a fireplace, be sure to utilize it as well. Just make sure you have wood and a way to effectively cut it before it gets too cold out. There are many reasons to get a log splitter for firewood preparation, so don’t overlook it as a possibility for your home. No matter which method you use, this tactic will allow you to lower the central thermostat without sacrificing comfort.