With oil and natural gas prices rocketing, stoking terror of long, cold and and expensive winters, a renewed interest in keeping heating costs under control has has been sparked. Homeowner’s have an ignited passion in understanding energy-saving methods. If you’re in this boat, stuck in cold waters, here are some tips for energy-saving tricks.
Keeping Warm
If you’re living in a home with a furnace that’s more than 20 years old, you may have already attempted the “put a jumper on” method of keeping warm. This is certainly one approach, but these days, upgrading your home’s conditioning system is a much better option. This will bode well for you in the here and now, as well as the long term, should you decide sell your home. More and more homebuyers are looking for homes with energy-efficient systems already in place. So, think of these upgrades as a long-term investment in the resale value of your home, as well a cost efficient and green alternative to your current conditioning system.
Keeping Costs Down
Electric heat is more expensive than oil and gas. Although a smart combination of central woodstove heat, supplemented by electric heat, can be cost efficient. So you it is possible to find a solution that works for your budget too.
Let it Flow
Whether disposable or washable, all forced-air heating and cooling systems use filters. And these filters need to be maintained and changed.
Some filters require monthly changes, while others last up to three months and much depends on the conditions within your home. A dirty filter will restrict the air flow. Clogged filters will block heat that would otherwise be keeping you toasty warm. Do yourself a favor and keep on top of the regular changing of your heat filters. This is a pretty easy way to boost your energy efficiency and to cut costs.
Install A Heat Pump
Air source heat pumps are the most common and they are generally used with a back-up heating system. In terms of function, a heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside and bringing it in. It can also be used to remove heat from the inside of the house.
The king of heat pumps, though, are ground, water source, or geothermal. And while the initial investment may be great, the saving will be substantial in the long run. These pumps will use 25-50% less energy than conventional conditioning systems.
You Decide
At the end of the day, another simple method to help with soaring heat bills, is to keep an eye on the set temperature levels in your house. What is normally described as room temperature is around 20 degrees. Of course, only you can decide where to set the dial.
But, if you’d rather avoid the ‘put a jumper on’ method of winter energy conservation, you might consider investing in an improved system. It will bring you warmth today and will be a smart investment for when you sell your home.