How to Keep Your House Warm Without Touching the Thermostat
Tuesday, December 15th, 2015
When the temperature drops, energy bills tend to increase. According to CNBC, winter electric prices are 3.1 percent higher than last year and are rising another 2 percent in 2016. Energy Star estimates that 46 percent of the average household’s electric bill is dedicated to maintaining a comfortable temperature in the home.
If you’re feeling chilly this winter, warming up your home naturally instead of cranking up the heat can save you hundreds. Here are a few suggestions:
Caulk your windows.
Sealing your window frame with caulk will prevent warm air from escaping your home. As an added bonus, caulking also prevents water damage.
Open your curtains on sunny days.
Sunlight is the best way to warm your home for free, so open your curtains when the sun is shining! About 10 percent of heat is lost through windows, so don’t forget to close them when the sun sets.
Cover your hardwood and tile floors with an area rug.
Decorating your floors with area rugs can be design and economically friendly at the same time. Not only will they keep heat from escaping through your floors, they’re much warmer to walk on.
Plug your fireplace.
We love fireplaces! However, a leaky chimney damper can easily bump up your heating bill. Keep cold drafts from entering your home by making sure your damper is secure and plugging your fireplace when it’s not in use.
Take a look at some of our custom fireplaces here.
Close your doors.
Larger homes are more expensive to heat. Save money by closing the doors of rooms you aren’t using (such as your guest room and bathroom) and sealing them with draft stoppers.
Reverse your ceiling fan.
Many people don’t know that ceiling fan rotation should be reversed seasonally. When the weather cools down, set your fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This will drive warmer air down.
At McCamy Construction, we build homes you can comfortably enjoy year-round. Contact us for more information on the techniques we use to make your home more energy efficient.
Tags: energy efficiency, fireplace maintenance, hardwood floors, tile flooring, window treatments, winterization