Winterize Your Home to Save on Your Energy Bills

Winterize Your House to Stay Warm and Save Money

Before Old Man Winter comes blowing into town, prep your house for cold weather and save money at the same time. Follow these steps, recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy, to keep the cold out and the heat in. 

1. Insulate Your Home Properly

According to the U. S. Dept of Energy, "On average, you can save up to 20% on your home's heating costs or up to 10% of its total energy costs by adding insulation to attics, floors, crawl spaces, and floors...reducing unwanted air leaks all around your house".  

2.  Install a Programmable Thermostat

They recommend "setting the thermostat to 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home" in the winter to save up to 10% on your heating costs. Their energy saver guide notes " to operate properly, a thermostat must be on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. It should be located where natural room air currents–warm air rising, cool air sinking–occur". 

3. Seal Air Leaks

Per the U. S. Dept of Energy, "reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, improve durability, increase comfort, and create a healthier indoor environment. Caulking and weather stripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment, often one year or less.

Caulk is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components such as around door and window frames, and weather stripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows". 

4. Install Window Treatments for Insulation

Another tip they suggest is to "keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows". 

If you would like more tips on how to effectively winterize your home, download the Energy Saver guide provided by the U.S. Dept of Energy. You can find the link here: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/downloads/energy-saver-guide.