7 Ways To Reduce Your Home Energy Bill This Winter
Winter is tough on the household utilities budget. Cold temperatures and harsh winds make your heating systems work overtime to keep your house at a comfortable temperature, which (if you aren't careful) may result in steep electric bills. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help lower this cost. Arrowhead Title, Inc. is here to help with these simple suggestions.
1. Rotate Your Ceiling Fans Correctly
Ceiling fans are a low-energy way to help distribute either warm or cool air throughout your home, depending on the season. During the colder months, your ceiling fans should be rotating in a clockwise direction at a low speed. This will draw the air up towards the fan and gently push the warm air back down around the walls (which avoids the windchill effect you get when they rotate counter-clockwise in the summer).
2. Lower Your Thermostat
It's winter - you don't need to be walking around in your home wearing a t-shirt and shorts! Lower your thermostat to the lowest setting that can still be comfortable. Some sources estimate that simply lowering your thermostat by one degree can reduce your overall electric bill by as much as 3%. It is especially helpful to lower your thermostat when you are asleep at night, when you will be gone during the day, or when you go out of town.
3. Let The Sunshine In
The sun is the most powerful natural source of energy - why not let it work for you? If you have south-facing windows that get a significant amount of sun during the day, open the curtains or the blinds to let as much of the light in as possible. The natural light will help warm your home, allowing your heating system to not have to work so hard.
4. Check The Thermostat On Your Water Heater
Did you know you can set the thermostat on your water heater? Setting it to 120° F will ensure that your water is as warm as you need without racking up unnecessarily high energy bills. If your water heater is located in a cool basement or utility room, you may also want to consider purchasing an insulated blanket for your water heater to help it better retain its heat. Some experts also recommend turning off your water heater altogether when you are going to be out of town for longer than a weekend.
5. Seal The Cracks
Allowing your hard-earned warm air to escape through pesky little cracks is like throwing your money away. Carefully inspect your home for air leaks around windows and doors and seal any you find by installing fresh weather stripping or caulking around the edges. You may have to invest a little bit in materials, but this will likely pay for itself (and more) in the long run. The same goes for your ductwork - consider hiring a technician to check for and seal any existing cracks. Insulating your air ducts may also be beneficial.
6. Invest In A Low-Flow Showerhead
How much money are you wasting when you take a shower? If you have an older showerhead, you might be wasting more than you realize. Low-flow showerheads are specifically designed to use less water while still maintaining desirable water pressure. This showerhead can reduce your water usage, which will in turn lower your electric bill by using less of the hot water supplied in your water heater.
7. Increase Insulation
You've carefully inspected the main living areas of your home for air leaks and cracks, but what about your attic and/or basement? If you aren't careful, you could be losing significant heat from these areas - especially the attic. It may be worth a quick inspection to see where there is room to add additional insulation, especially around windows and doors.
Buying A Home This Winter? Contact Arrowhead Title For Your Title Needs!
Utilities (especially the electric bill) are an important aspect to consider when you are the in process of buying a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Before finalizing the deal, it may be worth talking to the previous owners to find out what their standard electric bills were in the winter and the summer. As you tour prospective homes, glance around to see where there may be room to reduce heating costs.
If you are buying a house in the area, we would be honored if you would consider Arrowhead Title, Inc. to provide your title insurance at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our experienced title and escrow agents can help facilitate your closing to better ensure a smooth process for everyone involved. For more information about our title services in Camden County MO and the surrounding counties, visit our website: www.ArrowheadTitle.com. You can also call us directly at (573) 302-1950. We look forward to talking with you!
The Lake of the Ozarks' Most Trusted Title Company
Where Accuracy Matters!
1. Rotate Your Ceiling Fans Correctly
Ceiling fans are a low-energy way to help distribute either warm or cool air throughout your home, depending on the season. During the colder months, your ceiling fans should be rotating in a clockwise direction at a low speed. This will draw the air up towards the fan and gently push the warm air back down around the walls (which avoids the windchill effect you get when they rotate counter-clockwise in the summer).
2. Lower Your Thermostat
It's winter - you don't need to be walking around in your home wearing a t-shirt and shorts! Lower your thermostat to the lowest setting that can still be comfortable. Some sources estimate that simply lowering your thermostat by one degree can reduce your overall electric bill by as much as 3%. It is especially helpful to lower your thermostat when you are asleep at night, when you will be gone during the day, or when you go out of town.
3. Let The Sunshine In
The sun is the most powerful natural source of energy - why not let it work for you? If you have south-facing windows that get a significant amount of sun during the day, open the curtains or the blinds to let as much of the light in as possible. The natural light will help warm your home, allowing your heating system to not have to work so hard.
4. Check The Thermostat On Your Water HeaterDid you know you can set the thermostat on your water heater? Setting it to 120° F will ensure that your water is as warm as you need without racking up unnecessarily high energy bills. If your water heater is located in a cool basement or utility room, you may also want to consider purchasing an insulated blanket for your water heater to help it better retain its heat. Some experts also recommend turning off your water heater altogether when you are going to be out of town for longer than a weekend.
5. Seal The Cracks
Allowing your hard-earned warm air to escape through pesky little cracks is like throwing your money away. Carefully inspect your home for air leaks around windows and doors and seal any you find by installing fresh weather stripping or caulking around the edges. You may have to invest a little bit in materials, but this will likely pay for itself (and more) in the long run. The same goes for your ductwork - consider hiring a technician to check for and seal any existing cracks. Insulating your air ducts may also be beneficial.
6. Invest In A Low-Flow Showerhead
How much money are you wasting when you take a shower? If you have an older showerhead, you might be wasting more than you realize. Low-flow showerheads are specifically designed to use less water while still maintaining desirable water pressure. This showerhead can reduce your water usage, which will in turn lower your electric bill by using less of the hot water supplied in your water heater.
7. Increase Insulation
You've carefully inspected the main living areas of your home for air leaks and cracks, but what about your attic and/or basement? If you aren't careful, you could be losing significant heat from these areas - especially the attic. It may be worth a quick inspection to see where there is room to add additional insulation, especially around windows and doors.
Buying A Home This Winter? Contact Arrowhead Title For Your Title Needs!
Utilities (especially the electric bill) are an important aspect to consider when you are the in process of buying a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Before finalizing the deal, it may be worth talking to the previous owners to find out what their standard electric bills were in the winter and the summer. As you tour prospective homes, glance around to see where there may be room to reduce heating costs.
If you are buying a house in the area, we would be honored if you would consider Arrowhead Title, Inc. to provide your title insurance at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our experienced title and escrow agents can help facilitate your closing to better ensure a smooth process for everyone involved. For more information about our title services in Camden County MO and the surrounding counties, visit our website: www.ArrowheadTitle.com. You can also call us directly at (573) 302-1950. We look forward to talking with you!
The Lake of the Ozarks' Most Trusted Title Company
Where Accuracy Matters!
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