From Guest Blogger Bara Sykorova: Actionable Steps to Save Energy in Wintertime

With the temperatures dropping down closer to zero it is time to be mindful about winter heating bills. Costs for heating up the house slowly go up as the demand for electricity and heating increases due to colder temperatures and shorter daylight. Even with this being the case, is there a way to make these costs lower in the long run?

It is important to be aware of the fact that heat leakages caused by poor house insulation can add up to the overall living costs in a large extent. In fact, if a proper insulation and air sealing techniques are in place, it can help to save up up to 20% of your average household energy usage. When these changes are implemented in older houses, the savings can be even higher.

Compared to an energy efficient house, a typical home wastes 30% more energy. According to the US Department of Energy, 51MMBtu’s end up being wasted in an average house every year. In most cases, cooling and heating are the biggest contributors. The level of costs derives from the condition of currently used systems, and implementing an upgrade on older systems to raise heat distribution efficiency, can lead to large savings.

If you want to cut your utility bills, increase your home’s value and make it more comfortable to live in at the same time, here are some questions to ask before starting the process of improving the energy efficiency of your house:

What are your current energy bills?

For how long are you planning to stay in your home?

Can you do the upgrade on your own or will you need the help of a contractor?

What is your budget?

Have you done a home performance energy checkup?

Building America recommends to undergo an energy audit of your home to make a precise recommendation for the needed upgrades.

Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency of Your House

Here are some easy-to-implement tips to save energy:

Replace your windows with triple or double glazed windows to scale up your heat insulation.
Try to replace your oven and air conditioner filters regularly.
Make sure your warm air registers are clean, and place your furniture in a way that it does not block the heat coming from radiators.
When you are out of the house, remember to set your thermostat to lower temperatures. You can use a programmable thermostat for different types of heating.

The U.S. Department of Energy states that one of the main moves towards high energy savings lies within replacing windows for ones that insulate in a more efficient manner. There is an estimation that 10-25% of household heating and cooling leaks from windows. If proper windows are chosen, you can leverage from the replacement by reducing heat loss by 30-50%.

Another option can be keeping your old windows and doors but applying the method of weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is a type of window/door sealing which is applied in order to avoid any loss of heat. It comes in many different widths and depths, depending on the needs of each house or apartment. It is recommended to get professional advice first to know what type of sealing is suitable for your home. It is, however, one of the easy-to-do tasks and can bring many benefits. You can also apply for a weatherization assistance provided by almost all states in the US.

If you want to really make sure no heat escapes your home, buying a multi-layered window would be one of the more effective options. There are plenty advantages in installing new windows with multiple glazing. Not only does it help you save money in the long-term but your ears are also rid of any unnecessary outside noise. In fact, double glazed windows can reduce the external noise by up to 60%.

For more tips, check out Tips For Superior Energy Efficiency At Home.

Where to Start

As mentioned above, it is a good idea to start the whole process with an energy audit of your home by a professional. Then all your decisions can come from a well-informed standpoint, and you can look forward to benefitting from it in the future.99488