Reduce your heating bill
By Melissa Wirkus
With the cold winter months upon us there are many
things homeowners
can do to their home to make it more efficient during
the winter.
One thing to focus on is your heating bill.
Although prices have been dropping a bit lately, we
are still at historic highs, and many economists consider
America to be in an energy crisis.
Even if you have all of the money in the world to spend
on your heating bill every winter, be sure to do your
part and save energy.
You can reduce your heating bill without even spending
a dime, which is the best part about this all.
A November 30, 2006 article by Steve Hargreaves of CNNMoney.com,
“Six ways to shrink that heating bill,”
discusses ways to be more money and energy conscious
this winter.
“With winter fast approaching, and the cost of
natural gas and oil still far above historic norms,
here are six basic steps that could save you big on
heating bills.”
“Most are cheap and easy, although a couple require
a significant financial outlay and professional
installation. Either way, the tips below, outlined by
the Alliance to Save Energy, will help go easier on
the environment, strengthen the nation's energy security
and save you money.”
The first and easiest way to start reducing your bill
is to clean your furnace filter. This includes the simplest
task of cleaning the lint from your dryer. You should
also get a furnace “tune-up” once a year
to make sure everything is running efficiently.
Next, use ay sunlight to your advantage; open up the
curtains and let the sun shine in and naturally heat
up your home.
One thing you can buy that will reduce your hearing
bill is a programmable thermostat.
“For about $100, you can tell one of these devices
to automatically turn down the heat or air conditioning
when no one is home, like during the workday, which
can shrink your heating bill by about 10 percent.”
Reducing your hot water heater’s temperature from
the standard 140 degrees to about 120 degrees can save
money as well, and the best part about it is you really
won’t even notice a difference.
Insulating your home is something that takes a little
more work, but will save a lot of money
in the long run. “Adding an extra layer of insulation
to your roof or walls, and using caulking, foam or weather
stripping to seal cracks around windows, light fixtures
or electrical outlets can not only save you on energy,
it can get you a tax break as well.”
Last but not least, replacing your windows will save
you a considerable amount of money on your heating bill.
“ASE spokeswoman Ronnie Kweller recommends ones
that carry the government-endorsed Energy Star rating
label, both for efficiency and to take advantage of
the tax
credit, which can be used not just for insulation but
a variety of efficiency-enhancing products.”
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