19 Tips To Save Money With Home Heating Costs And Stay Warm This Winter

In these tough economic times smart families are cutting costs in many areas of their lives. One important area not to be overlooked is Home Heating costs. Stay warm and cozy this winter as well as benefit from the significant cost savings that quickly add up when utilizing the following tips.

1. Make sure your heating system is running efficiently by having it cleaned and inspected annually by qualified technicians. Properly running systems are safer and save you money over time.

2. If your oil burner is old and inefficient, consider buying a new energy efficient model which will save you money in both repairs and operating costs. You may even qualify for a tax credit.

3. Change or clean your furnace filters on a routine basis. Filters clogged with dust can cause restricted airflow and result in less than optimal heating functionality. Mark your calendar to help remind you to check filters once a month.

4. If you use a fireplace regularly, annually employ the services of a chimney sweep to clean your chimney as well as conduct a safety inspection.

5. The use of an open fire screen means you are heating the chimney space. Install tight fitting glass fireplace doors to greatly reduce the loss of heated air.

6. When your fireplace is not in use be sure the damper is closed tightly.

7. Weather stripping, caulking or using draft stoppers around windows and doors prevents cold drafts from entering your home and lowers your heating bills. Draft stoppers can be bought in home goods stores or made by sewing medium weight fabric into a tube the length of your window sill and filling the tube with sand or kitty litter. This is a low cost method of blocking cold drafts and saving money.

8. Install storm doors and windows. If you need to buy new windows, double paned windows prevent heat loss by close to 50 percent and are worth the investment in cold weather areas.

9. Window air conditioning units should be tightly wrapped in plastic and insulation material or completely removed.

10. Check the amount of insulation in your home's walls, ceilings and floors. The US Department of Energy can provide information on the recommended amount of insulation for your geographic location.

11. Insulate your water pipes and water heater for maximum efficiency.

12. Consider buying a humidifier. Dry air takes longer to heat. Minimal usage of bathroom and kitchen vents means more warm air is retained and the humidity is beneficial.

13. Keep doors to enclosed porches or garages closed to keep wind and cold air from entering your home.

14. Clean, dust, or vacuum heating vents or radiators on a routine basis to keep them radiating efficiently as well as reducing the amount of dust in your home.

15. Ductwork should be carefully sealed. Substantial loss of heat can be attributed to improperly sealed ductwork.

16. Invest in a programmable thermostat. Once set, it will
automatically lower the temperature at times you are out of your home for hours and turn it up for the time you should arrive home to warmth. It can be set to automatically lower the temperature during sleeping hours and allow you to wake up to a warm home while reaping savings.

17. Close heating vents and doors to rooms that are unused or seldom used. Close closet doors and close doors to rooms unused during the day.

18.Use insulated window coverings, drapes or shades. Open them fully during sunlit hours to take advantage of the natural solar heat and close them when the sun goes down to keep cold air out. It has been estimated that approximately 15% of your heat can escape through unprotected windows.

19. Move furniture away from baseboards to prevent heat from being blocked and be sure closed floor length drapes don't cover heating vents.

This winter, be good to your budget, your comfort and your safety by taking the simple steps described above to efficiently heat your home. For additional tips, consult your local area home heating service provider.