If utility bills have been hitting hard lately, you’re probably asking what else you can do to reduce the cost of heating your home.
The US Energy Information Administration estimates the average natural gas heating bill will go up 28% this winter compared with last year.
It also predicts a 45% increase in heating oil spending, and recently The Wall St Journal reported electricity would rise 11% in the next few months.
Data on utility rates and bills gathered by consumer advocacy group Power for Tomorrow found a surge to 51c per kilowatt-hour in December, up 73% from a year earlier. While that data is restricted to Massachusetts, no state is escaping rises in utility rises.
With these increasing prices, insulation is now becoming a home selling feature, commanding a price premium. If you’re taking on an insulation project, keep all your invoices for the time when you sell.
This list offers some ideas to help reduce winter heating bills: it’s never too late to begin this journey. It’s good for the environment and good for your wallet.
Do the basics
Organize the servicing of all your appliances, prioritizing your furnace. You should also clean the ductwork and filters. Thin filters should be replaced every quarter. And watch for breaks in the duct piping. Up to a third of your heating can be lost if duct pipes are broken.
Seal the deal
Walk through your home to detect the drafty areas. Use sealing solutions available from retailers to plug the gaps. Install adhesive seal strips around door and window frames, and a waterproof draught excluder on entry doors.
Window treatments
You should always draw the curtains in the evenings when the furnace is working hard. Some 30% of heat is lost through windows. And that figure climbs if your windows are warped and ill-fitting. Unfortunately, it can take weeks, if not months, to have new windows fitted, so this project may pay you back in 2024.
Turn it down
Dropping the thermostat 10 degrees for eight hours each day will cut your heating bill by 10%, according to the Department of Energy.
Inspect roof insulation
Thermal qualities of most insulation solutions dissipate over 10 to 15 years. Check your insulation to satisfy yourself that it’s getting the job done.
Catch the flue
The flue and dampener should be closed when your fireplace isn’t being used, otherwise warm air will disappear through both.
Solar strategy
A bigger budget idea is to install solar panels and a battery to store power. It’s a good idea to seek some quotes. It might be cheaper than you anticipate, and a reputable contractor will know of any available state or city grants.