In winter, some households spend as much as 40% of the energy bill on heating the home. However, you can stay comfortable without breaking the bank. When trying to keep your living spaces warm, choose methods that boost efficiency. Let’s look at a few ways to heat your home efficiently this season.
Cover the Windows
In the evenings, close your curtains and blinds to minimize heat loss through the windows. When the temperatures begin to drop in early fall, replace sheer curtains with heavier thermal curtains to add a layer of insulation over the windows. In the daytime, open the blinds to let the sunlight warm your interior spaces. Radiant heat from the sun can warm the inside of your home by several degrees.
Block Drafts to Heat Your Home More Efficiently
Even if your home is well-insulated, heat can seep through holes and cracks around doors and windows. Sealing and insulating your house helps keep warm air from escaping in the winter and hot air from coming in during the summer. This saves money on cooling and heating, making your home more energy-efficient.
Doors and windows can be draft-proofed in various ways. Inspect the weatherstripping and replace it, if needed. Use caulk to fill cracks around the window frames. You can also install a door sweep to prevent airflow from beneath the door.
Only Heat Spaces You’re Using
Determine which rooms in your home need to be heated. If you don’t use a room consistently throughout the day, don’t waste energy heating it. Keep a guest room or a bathroom that is rarely used closed off from the rest of the home. To retain heat in the room you’re using, close the doors between the room and the hallway.
Use Space Heaters
If you only need to heat a small area, use a space heater instead of turning up the thermostat. Turn on a space heater to warm your bedroom before you turn in for the night. Unplug the heater when you go to bed. The room will be warmer, but you won’t have to heat the entire house to get the bedroom to a comfortable temperature.
Install a Smart Thermostat to Heat Your Home Efficiently
Programmable “smart” thermostats help you use energy only when you need it by allowing you to set schedules for both heating and cooling. You can also use your smart device to manage the thermostat. This gives you the flexibility to maintain comfortable temperatures in your home even when you’re away.
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