Reduce Your Heating Costs

The chill is in the air! As you can tell by walking outside, fall has arrived in Northwest Indiana. Falling temperatures usually means higher utility bills. The Jana Caudill Team would like to share with you some inexpensive energy saving tips to keep your heating bills in check.

Take Advantage of Heat from the Sun. Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Cover Drafty Windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.

Adjust the Temperature. When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10°-15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.

Find and Seal Leaks. Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

Lower Your Water Heating Costs. Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.

Lower Your Holiday Lighting Costs. Use light-emitting diode-or "LED"-holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays.

The Jana Caudill Team would love to help you find or sell your home in Northwest Indiana. Contact us today for all your real estate needs.

*Reprinted from the US Department of Energy