From Guest Blogger Amelia Atkins: Easy and Efficient Ways to Cut Your Home’s Heating Bill

In some parts of the world, winter is coming to an end, while in other parts it is yet to come and bring colder temperatures. However, no matter on which hemisphere you live, it’s always good to know some heating tricks that will warm up your home and save you some money in the process. So, here are the easiest and most efficient ways to cut your home’s heating bill.

Improve your insulation

This might not be the first advice you expected, but it really is the best one. Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed so you don’t experience energy loss through little cracks and gaps. Even the smallest opening can cost you a lot of money in the long run. Also, pay extra attention to your basement and attic since these places leak out the most energy and bring your energy and gas consumption to the maximum.

Reset your thermostat

One of the easiest to fix and most overlooked problems with heating is the thermostat. If you use gas as your source of heat, you must learn how to properly program and operate your thermostat to ensure you’re using just the right amount of gas. If you realize you’ve been using your thermostat in the wrong way, try to change something and apply what you’ve learned. Once you properly set your thermostat, you’ll start noticing that you’re saving a lot of gas. Also, make sure to remember to lower the temperature when you aren’t home for a longer time.

Get a smart thermostat
No matter how well your old thermostat is set, it will never be as efficient as a new, smart one. These relatively cheap little gadgets are easily installed and are suitable for almost all homes. Thanks to their programming, smart thermostats learn your habits (when you’re out of the house, when you come back or when you sleep) and sets the temperature accordingly to reduce heating bills. You don’t even have to spend time on manual programming. These smart thermostats can cut your bills for anywhere between 10 and 12%.

Use the power of the sun
Even if it’s freezing cold outside, when it’s sunny, the sun’s rays will still manage to bring some extra heat into your space. So, make sure to open your shades and curtains during sunny days, especially on the south side of your home to maximize the direct sunlight. Also, take care of your overgrown greenery that might be blocking the sun from entering your home. On the other hand, make sure your curtains are closed during the night to minimize drafts. The best part? Sunlight is completely free and will certainly let you turn down your furnace temperature during beautiful winter days.

Check your furnace

If the reason behind your high heating bills isn’t insulation and leaks, you might want to check your furnace. It might not be functioning to its full capacity or it might be outdated. Inspect your furnace or gas water system every once in a while, and make your checkups more frequent if your system is older than 10 years. If you notice a problem, make sure not to touch it, and call a professional who will know what to do. However, sometimes getting brand new equipment is much more efficient and cheaper than having your old system fixed. If you opt for a modern gas hot water system as your new heating option, you’ll reduce your heating costs and always have hot water at hand when you need it (and that happens often during cold days).

Get help

If you really want to lower your gas consumption, you can buy a space heater and use it in rooms that you and your family spend the most time. This will allow you to lower the temperature on your furnace and you’ll save a lot of gas. However, this means spending money on electricity and the appliance itself (unless you have one lying around your home). But, since space heaters are very cheap (around $30 for a decent model) and electricity costs only a few cents per hour, your investment will definitely come out cheaper than setting your thermostat high.

These easy and handy tips will certainly help reduce your heating bills without having to sacrifice any comfort of your home. So, heat smart, not hard.