Feeling the frustration of the dramatic rise in your heat bill? It's not too late to save and there are many things which can be done to help beat this increase.
As homeowners we must check the following:
1. Check caulking around doors and windows. Gaps in caulk around windows and doors allow heat to escape. To check your caulk, look around the perimeter of the window. Is it deteriorating? Is it caulked correctly with no gaps?
2. Install a programmable thermostat. One of the biggest ways to cut back on heating bills is by installing a programmable thermostat. According to Consumer Energy, this could save over 20%! Not only can it help in the winter but in the summer it is estimated you can save 15% -20% on your cooling bill.
•3. Check your attic insulation. Most homeowners want an R-value of a minimum of 19 but most likely around 30. How do you find out what the R-value of your home is? If you have rolled insulation, many times it will tell you the R - Value on the top or bottom. If you have blown insulation it should be a minimum of 12 inches thick.
•4. Adjust your heat registers. Not using a bedroom or lavatory, close the heat registers. This will allow you to heat only the rooms needed, using less energy.
•5. Replace your furnace filter. Replacing your filter will allow your furnace to work more efficiently, therefore using less energy resulting in less expense.
•6. Check your Humidifier. The proper amount of humidity in your home can make your home feel warmer than without the humidity. Open your humidifier and ensure there is water circulating and there are no leaks.
There are many steps you can take as homeowners to lower heating costs during the winter without draining your wallet.
This article was written by Keith Paul of HandyPro Handyman Services. They offer a program to assist with each step with the "HandyPro Heat Saving Program". This program consists of a technician providing each of the six tasks for a reasonable fee. Visit http://www.handypro.com for more information.
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