On days when the temperature creeps below -10 to -15, it can be difficult to resist the urge to crank the heat. If you have small children, older folks or pets at home, a warm home might be downright essential this time of year. Unfortunately, in addition, to making your home far more comfortable, cranking the heat can cause a noticeable increase in your energy bills. Today we’ll look at a few ways to minimize the impact to your heating bill, so you can stay comfortable without breaking the bank.
Circulate Air With a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans can assist your heating unit by dispersing warm air around your home and preventing hot air from pooling on the ceiling. A ceiling fan can’t actually heat or even cool a room, but it will make the room feel more comfortable by redistributing air. This way, you can keep your thermostat a few degrees lower without causing discomfort.
Close Curtains and Blinds at Night
Be sure to close your curtains and blinds before you go to bed at night or even when the sun goes down. Otherwise, the warm air in your home will transfer through the colder glass of your windows all night and force your heating system to work harder to keep up with the cold. Covering your windows (a noticeable weak spot in your wall insulation) can put a significant dent in your monthly energy costs.
Watch Your Thermostat Placement
If your thermostat is on a cold exterior wall or next to a window, it may be causing your heat to run more than it needs to. Ideally, your thermostat should be placed on an interior wall in a room you use frequently like a living room. You should also make sure it’s not obstructed by furniture or other objects that might disrupt its sensors.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
Programming a Lower temperature while you are at work or the kids are at school, for even a few hours a day will add up over a long cold winter. Likewise, when you go to bed having the temperature set a few degrees lower can make bedtime more comfortable and save heating cost.
Look at an Energy Audit
If your energy bills seem unreasonably high, it could because of inefficiencies in your home such as outdated insulation and leaky windows. An energy audit can allow you to identify these issues and find ways to make your home more energy efficient. The Province of Prince Edward Island offers an insulation program you might want to check out (HERE) If your home is properly sealed and insulated, your heating system won’t have to work as hard to regulate the temperature inside.
Energy Rebates
You may qualify for a rebate on your heating costs find out more, Prince Edward Island Rebate program
