In 2019, the average residential monthly electricity bill amounted to $115.49. Now that winter is coming; you can expect yours to go up even higher, especially if you rely on an electric heater.
Even if you use gas to heat your home and stay warm, you’ll still face higher energy bills. After all, home heating accounts for more than 40% of a typical household’s energy use.
Fortunately, there are several hacks you can use to help keep your energy bills from going sky high. We listed four of the best ones below, so be sure to read on.
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Get Those Air Leaks Patched Up
Sealing all air leaks is one of the best ways on how to keep your house cozy during winter. This way, you can keep bone-chilling winter air from entering through cracks, gaps, or holes. More than that, patching up all these leaks can help you trim your energy bills by up to 40%.
To save even more dough, consider applying caulk and weatherstripping on your own. It’s easy to get these materials online or from local hardware shops.
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Secure an Early Date With an HVAC Tech
It’s always best to schedule a heating service call with an HVAC company before winter. That’s because most technicians get busy once the actual heating season rolls in. If you wait until the last minute to set a date, you may have to spend a few days without heat.
A pre-season tune-up also lets you verify the condition of your home heater before you’d need to run it all day long. This is the best time to schedule your furnace or boiler for repairs, too. If it does need fixing, be sure to get it repaired; otherwise, it may break down when you need it the most.
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Go With Layers
One of the best, low-key tricks on how to keep your house warm is to use a few layers of materials on your windows. Start by repurposing bubble or cling wrap and applying this on your older windows. The University of Massachusetts says that this can prevent heat gains and losses by as much as 50%.
You should also swap out thinner curtains with thicker fabrics and tighter weaves. If you have velvet, suede, or tapestry drapes, hang these up and make sure that they extend over the window frames. This way, they can act as a better barrier against wintry outdoor air.
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Bar It With Windbreaks
A properly-designed and strategically-placed windbreak can trim heating costs by 10% to 25%. After all, this type of landscaping serves as a shield from wind and snow. With less wind and snow to deal with, you can keep your home warm and cozy all throughout winter.
Keep These Home Heating Tips in Mind to Stay Warm All Winter Long
There you have it, four of the best ways to stay warm and cozy during the frigid season. Except for windbreaks, most of these strategies are low-key and low-cost. Windbreaks can be a bit expensive, but they’re still a good investment in the long run.
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