Even for those of us who genuinely enjoy winter—from hitting the slopes to walking the dog in frosty weather—we can all agree that at times, it’s a season that’s not for the faint of heart. Those below-freezing temperatures can chill the hardiest among us, and that frigid feeling isn’t limited to just the outdoors.Although modern-day homes have furnaces that warm the whole home, they’re not perfect; brisk drafts can make their way through window cracks and under doors, and sometimes it’s just too cold outside for a furnace to truly keep up and warm the whole house. But turning up the thermostat will inevitably result in a higher heating bill in the winter, which isn’t great news if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Even though there are creative ways to stay warm—eating warming foods, setting up a space heater or cozying up with your partner—there are few things as effective as a heating system running at full capacity.But what if we told you that there’s a way to rev up your furnace andsave a few bucks in the process? In fact, there’s one method to slash your heating bill, in particular, that no one seems to be talking about, according to an HVAC pro, and it will help you save money in the long run.Related: The Most Affordable Homes Are in These 17 States, Realtors Reveal
The 'Genius' Way To Slash Your Heating Bill This Winter
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According to Scott Levene, Vice President of Levco Heating, Oil, Propane & HVAC Services in Connecticut, one of the easiest ways to reduce a heating bill is to add weatherstripping to your windows and doors. “This blocks heat from escaping and cold air from entering, so your home will stay warm,” he explains. “For example, if your front door has a draft underneath, your HVAC system will have to run longer and more frequently to compensate for the heat loss." It's so easy that it feels like a genius hack, and one that not a lot of people talk about or suggest outside of experts."Weatherstripping is easily found at most hardware stores and is relatively easy for most people to install on their own,” he shares.Levene adds that depending on the size and length of the weatherstripping, the average cost ranges from just $5 to $15.“People overlook it because it’s too easy, too inexpensive and too familiar to seem ‘genius.’ But that’s exactly what makes it such a smart fix," he states. "It’s one of the rare home upgrades that costs almost nothing, takes minutes and pays for itself many times over."He explains that since cold air drafts account for a significant percentage of a home’s total heat loss, when cold air constantly enters the home, the HVAC system will naturally run longer and more frequently.“The longer the system runs, the higher your monthly heating bill will be,” he shares. This makes weatherstripping a great way to ensure that your HVAC system is running efficiently and effectively, resulting in a lower monthly bill. It’ll also reduce the wear and tear on your furnace over time.Installing weatherstripping is as simple as pressing it around door and window frames. He says that if you have existing weatherstripping, and you can feel cold air or see daylight coming through it, that’s your cue that it needs replacing. And that's okay; Levene suggests replacing weatherstripping regularly. “Even the best materials degrade after a few years due to temperature swings and friction, so make it a habit to re-check them every fall,” he shares.Related: 13 Things Money Experts Tend To Buy Cheap
Levene says that if you have a hot-water heating system, trapped air will lower the efficiency all winter long. “Air pockets inside your radiators or baseboard heaters can impede the proper circulation of hot water, causing parts of the system to stay cool,” he explains. “This, in turn, forces your boiler to work overtime to heat the space.”That’s why you can “bleed” the radiators to save some money on your heating bill.“You are letting the system heat evenly and restore full efficiency,” he shares. “It’s a 10-minute DIY task [you can follow along with a YouTube video] that can instantly make your rooms warmer without touching the thermostat and can reduce boiler runtime by 10–20%. Most people never think to do it until they notice cold spots.”
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2. Lower your thermostat when sleeping
This one might seem obvious, but if you're not already doing this, it can really help in the long run when your bill comes.“Adjusting your thermostat is, of course, a helpful way to save on your heating bill,” Levene says, adding that lowering the temperature by a few degrees while you’re sleeping or away can have an impact. However, there are things to be aware of before doing that.“But don’t lower it too much, or the system will have to work harder to warm your home when you bump it back up,” he warns
Similar to updating weatherstripping if you already have some, Levene says that upgrading the insulation in the attic and/or crawlspace in your home can significantly help when it comes to lowering your heating bill. How? If you don't have enough insulation in your attic, you could be losing heat through the top of your house (since heat rises). Basically, if you need to upgrade your insulation, and haven't, your heat might not be staying in the house very well.
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4. Use thick curtains
Somewhat similar to insulation (or what it does), using thick curtains on drafty windows can help keep the heat you're paying for inside, right where you want it.“Using thick curtains on large windows can help block out the cold and retain heat,” Levene shares.
On those extra-chilly days—and to get the cozy vibes going—Levene recommends simply cooking and baking at home.“The heat from your stove and oven will warm up your kitchen,” he says. “If you have a ceiling fan in the kitchen or an adjacent room, run it clockwise to help gently push the warm air that naturally rises down into the room.”Related: Avoid Going Stir-Crazy With 125 Indoor Activities To Do Even When It’s Cold Outside
6. Check your energy usage
And maybe one of the biggest things that you have control over is how much heat you use and how you use it. While it might seem like a difficult task to cut things out here and there or change how you're currently running things, it could really help you—and your wallet—out in the end.“Get a home energy audit to help find problem areas,” Levene advises.Up Next:
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Scott Levene is the Vice President of Levco Heating, Oil, Propane & HVAC Services in Connecticut.Hence then, the article about the genius way to slash your heating bill this winter that no one s talking about was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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