The approach of winter inevitably means that your heating bills start going up. Much of the energy usage in your home is for heating. Saving on heating will reduce your bills and here are six ways to do this.
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Upgrade your heating systems
You can make many inexpensive changes in your home to upgrade its energy efficiency but sometimes upgrading your heating systems to save on your energy bills is the best option. The more energy prices go up, the more sense it makes to purchase more efficient heating equipment.
Updating a furnace may be expensive but it’s a cost-effective option when taking into consideration heating bills over the long term. Heating solutions such as electric heaters are more energy-efficient than fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, and switching to an energy efficient electric heater with an Intelligent Control System from Best Electric Radiators will save you money over the long term. Other brands that you can explore include Haverland, Ecostrad, Sunflow and Dimplex.
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Insulate your home
Unless your home is insulated, you will lose precious heat. Inexpensive outlet sealers or draft blockers can help to seal up drafts coming in under doors, around pipes, through windows, and at electrical and cable outlets. Any areas where two different materials meet need an inspection. It’s worth getting professionals to seal cracks around doors and windows. Even cat or dog doors can let warm air out and a radiator will have to work that much harder to keep a room warm.
Just as wearing a hat in winter will keep your head warm, insulating the attic can help to keep your home warm. Other simple tips like putting down floor rugs and using thick curtains with thermal backing can prevent heat loss.
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Turn down your thermostat
Turning down your thermostat is one of the most direct and easy ways to save money on heating. Smart thermostats make controlling temperature easier than ever. You can set a schedule for dropping or raising the temperature a few degrees. After dropping it for the night, you can raise it again before you get out of bed in the morning, switch it off while you’re out and then turn it on 30 minutes before you’re due to get home.
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Reduce your washing machine electricity consumption
Washing machines can be energy guzzlers if you use hot water to wash your clothes, especially if you do a load every day. Washing in cold water can lower your bills and there are many detergents you can use in cold water. You will even find your clothes last longer. It is best to wait until you collect enough clothes to make up a full load as this could reduce how many times you use your washing machine.
If you’re using a washing machine that was made over a decade ago, it won’t contain the energy-saving features of modern machines. Many of the latest washing machines have a power-saving mode that you should use as much as possible if you have it.
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Maintain your indoor humidity level
The amount of water vapor in the air makes people feel colder or warmer. When humidity is higher, evaporation from the human body occurs more slowly and people feel warmer. By properly humidifying your home, you can save energy by turning down your thermostat without losing any comfort. The most efficient way to manage humidity is with a central humidifier. Another way to increase humidity is to use a portable humidifier or vaporizer.
The main benefit of managing humidity in your home will be more comfortable and lower bills. Your health and your home’s health is better when you maintain humidity at the recommended levels. Ideal humidity levels range between 30 and 50 percent throughout the year.
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Check plans your provider may offer
Many utility providers offer “budget billing.” They look at your past usage and estimate an average cost for you to pay each month. This doesn’t actually save you money but it can help you to budget your monthly costs. Other providers offer plans based on the time of day when energy is used. At peak times, when there’s more demand on the system, they may charge you more to use electricity. If you only use it at times when there’s less demand, you pay less.
