Many of us will face mounting electricity and gas costs just to make our homes comfortable over the winter. These costs, along with the other damage the cold can do to an unprepared home, are enough to remind one of the devastating winters that early American settlers suffered. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take that were not open to the English colonists. By utilizing new and old technologies you can knock digits off your energy bill and save money this winter.
1. Solar Tech
We usually associate solar energy with hot sunny days, but the sun shines in the winter as well. Solar panels are still an effective energy producer in the winter as long as you keep them well-maintained and free of snow and ice. A solar powered central heating system in the right state can cut your energy bills to practically nothing. For example, a solar powered home in Oregon could collect energy almost every day of the winter, thanks to the cloud-blocking properties of the Cascade Range. The energy savings doesn’t stop at the end of winter. A solar powered home is an investment for years to come.
2. Smart Winter Insulation
Your home’s insulation is your first defense against the cold. It’s critical that it be completely intact and working for you to get the most out of your home’s heating and air. If you conduct a home energy audit and discover that you have insulation leaks in one or more parts of your home get those fixed as soon as you can. Since insulation repairs can be very costly and time-consuming, you may want to consider closing vents and doors to affected rooms until the necessary repairs can be made. If you don’t have to use the rooms often, block off the bottom of the door with a blanket or something else thermally insulating so that the warm air in the rest of your home doesn’t go to waste.
3. Keep Your Heater in Good Shape
Your heating system is the keystone for a comfortable winter. While an entirely broken heater might save you some money, you’ll be in for quite a chilly winter. Meanwhile, a heater that’s just barely pulling through will cost you a lot more than it needs to. The happy middle ground is a fully functioning heater that’s in good shape. Having your heater at its best will save you money and keep your comfortable at the same time. In order to keep your heater in good shape, you should schedule regular maintenance with a professional before the coldest weeks of winter come in. October and November are both great times to do this as you won’t be quite so reliant on your heater, but you also won’t be leaving much time for things to break down before the worst of winter starts.
4. Don’t Forget About the Rest
It’s easy to think that saving money during the winter comes down to managing your heating energy well, but there’s a lot more to it than that. A cold winter can take its toll on a lot more than just your furnace. Be sure to blow out your sprinkler system before the freezing temperatures come or you’ll be paying a lot to get that fixed in the spring. It’s also important to prepare your lawn tools for winter so that they’re there for you when the grass starts growing once again. There are a lot of things that we all look forward to with winter. I know I’m excited for hot chocolate and warm fires. As long as we’re ready for the tough parts of winter, we can enjoy the fun parts with zero stress.
