As a homeowner, there are many Simple steps to reduce cooling and heating bills. Most of them are free and can be implemented right away. Others may require a small once off fee. By combining all the steps, you are sure to save as much as twenty percent. Additionally, you could benefit from the environmentally friendly features many of these steps offer. Most steps are simple to follow and others require basic Do-It-Yourself skills.
1. DUCTWORK: Some homes use ductwork to transport air that is heated. However, if your ducts are not connected properly, you could lose much of the heat before it reaches the vents. Insulate the ducts properly by looking for obvious places in the crawlspaces, attic and basement where they may have become disconnected or where pipes have become pinched. This blocks the flow of your warm air. Gaps may be repaired with aerosol sealant of metal backed tape. You can also swaddle the pipes and the water heater, particularly if it is located in a cold room.
2. THERMOSTAT: By turning down your thermostat by ten degrees, you could save a small fortune. It is estimated that you can save 3% for each degree by which you turn down the temperature. The suggestion is that this be done for 16 hours per day. If you do not want to do this manually, you could invest in a smart thermostat, which can be set to take care of it on your behalf.
3. FANS: A fan should only be used while it is performing its duty. A high-energy fan in the bathroom or kitchen can expel the warm air from an entire household. It is suggested that you turn it off immediately once the job is done.
4. FIREPLACE: If you use a fireplace, keep the damper closed and limit the use thereof. A fire sucks the heat from a room, as heat rises. Close the windows and doors of rooms that are used seldom and shut the inside vents.
5. DOORS AND WINDOWS: You can retard heat from escaping from your rooms by drawing the curtains when the sun sets. Opening the curtains or shades to let the sunlight in will warm your spaces with natural solar radiation, making your home sunny and warm.
Most houses, particularly the older ones, have small gaps in areas around doors and windows in particular. If you have a few gaps, it could add up to a lot of cold air entering your home, requiring that you need more heating solutions to warm up the home. This increases your heating bill.
Alternatively, you can purchase a few low-cost items and repair the gaps. Caulk or tacky rope caulk can be used for these spots. Weather stripping is available for the movable joints. It is a small initial outlay, which will save you up to ten percent on your heating bill. To find these leaks, you can hold a candle or stick of incense to the areas that are most drafty. You will soon see the direction of the draft.
Door sweeps are very cheap, yet they are highly effective in closing spaces under doors. If you have electrical outlets in the outer walls of your home from where cold air enters, you can buy outlet gaskets at about each.
Double-paned windows are more expensive, but they make a big difference. Check out for a window with an e rating. If a clear view is not that important, you can apply plastic films to keep windows from rattling and to curb drafts. This is known as winterizing your windows and is cheaper than installing storm windows.
6. AIR FILTER: A blocked air filter can reduce the efficacy of your furnace. This process is reasonably straightforward and included in the user guide from the manufacturer. You should keep your heating and cooling system in check by maintaining it regularly. If it is older than 15 years, you may want to consider replacing it as it may be costing you more to run than what you save.
These tips are all free or low cost ways of saving on heating or cooling. Some homeowners feel that you have to spend money to save money and options do exist for them too.
Jeff Blackwell is the owner of Easy Living Solutions Realty offering mobile homes for sale in Mesa and Apache Junction, Arizona and Jim Blackwell is the owner of EZ Living offering mobile homes for sale in Las Vegas, Nevada.
