Homeowners in the United States are paying about 10% more to heat their homes this winter; this means the average household is spending nearly $1,000 on home heating costs alone. If this number sounds a little steep to you, the good news is that there are steps you can take to keep your home nice and cozy this winter without breaking the bank.
1. Tune Up Your Furnace
One of the best and least expensive things you can do to lower your heating costs this winter is to have your furnace inspected and tuned up. In fact, this is something that all homeowners should be doing on an annual basis, but often overlook.
During an inspection and tune-up, an HVAC professional will:
- inspect the furnace's thermostat
- change or clean the filter
- assess electrical connections and components
- oil any parts, if needed
Furthermore, an HVAC inspector may also be able to recommend small repairs that will prolong the life of your furnace and allow it to operate more efficiently. As a result, you'll enjoy reduced heating costs and save money on larger furnace repairs over time.
2. Window Replacement and Door Replacement
If the doors and windows at your home are more than a decade or so old, it might be time to consider having them replaced. These days, there are some excellent, energy-efficient options when it comes to window and door replacement. Specifically, argon-gas-filled windows and doors made of dense materials (as opposed to hollow materials, such as steel) can make all the difference in your home's energy efficiency.
Door and window replacement does require an up-front investment, but it's one that can easily pay for itself in energy savings over time. After all, with new windows and doors, you can drastically cut down on those chilly drafts within your home, giving your furnace a break while keeping your home comfortable.
3. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
Another excellent option for lowering your heat bills this winter is to upgrade your traditional thermostat to a programmable or "smart" thermostat. This can cost as little as $50, which will certainly pay for itself in energy savings in a short period of time.
How can a programmable thermostat save you money? Rather than leaving your thermostat at 70 degrees all day so you can come home to a warm house, a programmable thermostat allows you to lower your thermostat temperature while you're gone during the day and automatically increase the temperature right before you get home. This way, your furnace gets a break but you still get to come home to a warm and comfortable house.
If you want to take it a step further, consider going for a "smart" thermostat, which will actually allow you to control your home's heating and cooling system remotely, using your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device.
4. Insulate Your Air Ducts
Finally, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to increase energy efficiency within your home, consider having your air ducts insulated (if they aren't already). After all, when warm air leaves your furnace, it may have quite a distance to travel along a metal air duct before it reaches the vents in your home. During that transport time, the warm air can cool down significantly if the ducts aren't insulated.
With insulated ducts, the air stays warmer as it travels to its destination, thus increasing your overall energy efficiency. This is a home improvement that'll save you money not only during the frigid winter months, but during the summer when your air conditioning is running as well. It's truly a win-win situation and often costs just a few hundred dollars to have done (depending on how large the duct work system is in your home).
As you can see, there are all kinds of Northern Virginia home improvement projects you can take on to reduce your energy bills this winter, such as window replacement, door replacement, programmable thermostat insulation, and more. And for homeowners on a budget, many of these are surprisingly inexpensive.
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