Six Winter Energy-Saving Tips
With winter in full swing, it’s a great time to think about ways to keep your house warm and save money on your energy bill! Your local solar installer has put together six energy-saving tips to use during the chilly winter months. Pour yourself a hot cup of tea or cocoa and read on to learn more!
1. Stop cold air in its tracks!
No one wants an energy bill that includes paying for escaped heat! Save money this winter by keeping drafts to a minimum. Areas to check for escaping heat include the attic, basement, crawlspace, doors, and windows. Weatherstripping is an excellent way to keep warm air in your home and keep the cold air out. There are several types of weather-stripping available at your local hardware store.
2. Replace dirty air filters in your furnace
Keep those energy bills lower by replacing dirty air filters. Dirty air filters reduce your heater’s efficiency and result in higher energy consumption. When your air filter is clogged, airflow is reduced, which causes your HVAC unit to work even harder than usual. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy-use months in the winter. Another benefit of clean air filters is better indoor air quality. Clogged filters aren’t able to trap and filter pollutants as effectively, causing an increased risk of aggravating allergies and asthma.
3. Give your heating system a winter tune-up
It’s important to ensure that your heating system is working correctly. Have a professional HVAC technician check your heating system and ensure that it’s in good working order. Regularly servicing your heating system helps you catch problems before expensive breakdowns happen. Regular service also prolongs your heating system’s life and keeps it running more energy- and cost-efficiently.
4. Switch the direction of your ceiling fan blades
While we typically think of our ceiling fans as a way to cool a room on hot summer days, ceiling fans can be put to work in the winter as well! Set your fan blades to move clockwise (the reverse direction) in winter and run them on the lowest setting. Changing the fan blade direction will draw the cold air up to the ceiling and force warm air down (remember, heat rises). Many ceiling fans have a “reverse” option on the remote or a switch on the body of the ceiling fan. This easy change helps heat your home more evenly, allowing you to turn down your thermostat and save energy.
5. Lower the temperature on your water heater
Water heating is the third-largest energy expense in your home. On average, hot water heaters account for 15% of home utilities. An easy and no-cost way to save energy is to turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). Lowering your water heater’s temperature is just one way to make your water heater more energy efficient. Other methods include using less water (no more 30-minute showers!) and adding insulation to avoid losing “standby heat.” If your water heater is an older model and past its prime, it may be time to invest in a more energy-efficient model.
6. Invest in Solar Panels!
Sandbox Solar, your local solar installer, can help you install solar panels to help with your home efficiency! While you can’t avoid heating your home in the winter, you can offset your overall energy costs by adding solar panels to your home. Learn more about how solar panels work and how they can help you save on your energy bills this winter.
Since 2015, your local solar installer, Sandbox Solar, has completed over 500 solar projects along the Front Range. We are passionate about everyone receiving the environmental and financial benefits possible through renewable energy generation. If you are looking to reduce your energy bill by installing solar panels, Sandbox Solar can help. Contact us today for a free quote!
