You could be paying more to stay warm this winter. Here are 9 tips to help you save on your heating bills
Tri-state residents could be paying more to stay warm this winter as heating bills are expected to rise due to changes to energy supply and demand patterns.
Winter temperatures are forecast to be slightly colder than previous winters, which will also affect your bill.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that households that have natural gas will likely spend about 30% more on heat this year than last year. And those who heat with propane or heating oil will probably see their bills go up even more.
Below are some tips to help you save on your heating bills this year:
1. SEAL AND INSULATE YOUR HOME
Air that leaks through your home’s outer walls, doors, basements, and windows wastes a lot of energy, increases your energy bills, and can lead to an unhealthy indoor environment. Click here for tips on how to do it yourself, or how to find a contractor.
2. CLOSE DOORS AND WINDOWS
Keep doors and windows closed while running your heating to reduce air loss.
3. CLEAR VENTS
Clear areas in front of vents from furniture. Blocked vents require up to 25% more energy to distribute air, according to National Grid.
4. UPDATE HEATING SYSTEMS
Heating and cooling can account for more than half of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, often making it the largest energy expense. By upgrading to newer, more efficient technologies, you will save energy, which can lower your heating and cooling costs.
5. MAINTENANCE
Perform regular heating maintenance. Change filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy use. Establish a maintenance contract with your vendor for regular tune-ups, which help decrease equipment breakdowns and unnecessary air loss.
6. LOWER YOUR TEMP
Lower your water heater setting to 120°F to save energy and prevent scalding.
7. THERMOSTATS
Calibrate your thermostats to ensure accurate readings. Adjust your thermostat up or down depending on the season, and lower the setting any time your home is unoccupied. Use programmable thermostats to adjust heating and cooling when rooms are unoccupied.
8. TURN IT DOWN
When not spending time in certain areas of your home, turn down the heat supply to those rooms to reduce your energy usage.
9. NEED HELP?
Need assistance paying the cost of heating? Click in the link for your state’s energy assistance below: