For many homeowners, winter brings an increase in their home’s electricity bill. While some of this may be attributed to increased use of your home’s heating system, some factors you control may also impact your electricity bill.
When trying to keep your winter electric bill down, there are a few things every homeowner should do before the season starts to prepare. Our team at Energy Masters has compiled a few tips that homeowners should consider when they are preparing their homes for the winter months.
1. Double-check Your Weather Stripping
When you walk past your windows or doors, do you feel a cool breeze, even when they’re closed? If so, it might be a sign that you need to replace your weather stripping. When the weather stripping on your doors and windows wears down, warm air begins to escape through the gap.
With this air escaping, you may find yourself running your home’s heating system for longer than you intended or would like, spending even more money to heat your home every month. Your home’s weather stripping needs to be replaced every few years, so make the investment to keep your winter electric bill down.
2. Schedule Maintenance For Your Home Heating System
The last thing you want to find out when the cold weather hits is that your home’s heating system is in need of repairs. Whether it’s a small fix or your entire system needs to be replaced, this can be a frustrating repair to make in the middle of winter. To prevent this, you should schedule maintenance for your home’s heater before winter starts.
By scheduling ahead of time, you give the professionals an opportunity to catch any problems and repair them before your home is chilly in the winter. Schedule maintenance to keep your winter electric bill down, and you’ll thank yourself when the weather hits freezing.
3. Uncover Blocked Air Vents
Covering your air vents may create more problems for your home’s heating system than you realize. Your home’s heating system is specifically designed to warm your home. But, when air vents are blocked, your heating system may have to work harder to warm your home. You may even notice it breaking down more frequently because of these blockages
By uncovering blocked air vents, you allow air to travel freely throughout your home. When you move anything blocking vents, you may find that your home’s electricity bill drops significantly. So, if you want to keep your winter electric bill down, consider rearranging furniture and moving it off your vents.
4. Check Your Insulation
Your home’s insulation does a lot of the heavy lifting when keeping your temperature regulated. But, when it is time to replace it, you may notice strange drafts throughout your home and more pests inside. Before winter starts, consider checking your insulation to ensure it is ready for the colder weather.
Adding insulation to your attic is a great way to keep your winter electric bill down without having to make a substantial investment. New insulation will stop air from escaping through gaps you didn’t know about and will keep your home feeling warm and cozy through the colder winter months.
5. Unplug Unused Electronics
You would be shocked to learn how much energy devices pull in, even when they aren’t used. In fact, up to 10 percent of your home’s electricity bill may be attributed to unused electronic devices, pulling in energy when not in use. To save yourself money on your electricity bill this winter, consider unplugging electronics when they aren’t in use.
This can include phone chargers and kitchen appliances or plugged-in televisions in guest rooms. If you unplug these unused electronics, you may be able to keep your winter electric bill down. By the time you get your next electric bill, you’ll be amazed by how much money you save.
Keep Your Winter Electric Bill Down With Energy Masters
If you follow these tips, you should keep your winter electric bill down more than you have in previous years. If you are in need of a new heating system in your home or would like to schedule an energy audit of your home, however, our team at Energy Masters is ready to help you out. With years of experience and happy customers, we are confident that we’ll leave your home prepared for the turning of the weather.
No matter what your home energy problem is, we are certain we can help. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us or would like to speak to a member of our team, contact us today.
