With winter approaching, you should prepare for long, cold nights. If you want to stay warm throughout the night without additional energy, consider implementing some simple strategies. These include storing extra blankets or sleeping bags inside your home, creating a cozy space around your fireplace, and turning off unused electrical devices before bedtime.
You don't always have to heat your entire house to stay comfortable during winter. If you can implement simple changes into your lifestyle, you will save energy and thus money.
It's essential to conserve energy in the winter because it saves you less time heating your home and saves money. When looking at ways to reduce the amount of heat required, many things can be done, such as installing smart thermostats, turning down lights, and unplugging appliances when not being used. As mentioned above, the best way to save energy during winter include.
1. Installing Intelligent Thermostats.
Smart thermostat systems allow you to program them so that they turn on at certain times and shut themselves off at others. This helps to prevent wasting energy by having them run while they're not needed. Some other benefits of smart thermostats are that they monitor your home and adjust accordingly, saving you from getting too hot or cold. You may even get alerts if air quality is poor in your home.
Smart thermostats can help you cut back on costs, but they do require a little more maintenance than older models. Check for any leaks in the system and ensure the battery is full. It is also recommended to change the batteries every year. There are also different types of smart thermostats available online and in stores, such as Nest smart thermostats, which you can use to improve efficiency in your home and save energy.
2. Turn Down Lights.
Turning off unnecessary light bulbs is one of the easiest ways to save electricity. Since most of us leave our lights on all day, we can quickly see how much this costs us. The average household uses about 1,500 watts per hour, roughly equaling $50 worth of electricity each month. By turning down these light bulbs, you'll significantly lower your cost. Use timers to ensure you only need to turn on the lights you need instead of leaving them on continuously.
During winter, you should go through your home, turn off any lights that aren't being used, and replace them with CFL bulbs. Another alternative would be to install motion sensors that automatically turn off the lights once people have left the room. The switch usually controls these.
3. Replace Air Filters.
Your air conditioner/heater runs 24 hours a day and constantly pulls in air from outside, which is why it needs to be cleaned regularly. Filters remove dust particles from the air, so you must clean your filters often. Be careful not to over-clean your filters, though, as this could cause problems down the line.
If you notice any clogs in your ducts, you may need to call a professional to inspect and repair them. Otherwise, try cleaning them yourself with a vacuum cleaner. Check out our video for instructions on properly cleaning your HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning).
Air filters come in two varieties: HEPA and electrostatic. You should always replace their filter after six months to avoid breathing in allergens. One thing to consider before replacing your air filters is whether or not they fit correctly.
If your filters don't fit correctly, you might consider switching brands since some are better suited for colder temperatures. It's important to know that air filters should never be changed manually. A professional will generally do the job faster and safer.
4. Unblock Vents.
Many homes have vents and pipes running throughout the house. They serve several purposes, including venting smoke, carbon monoxide, and water vapor. If something is blocking the pipe, it might be causing problems down the road. Call a plumber immediately if you spot anything.
The best way to unblock vents is with a plunger. Do not put your hand in the pipe! Instead, stick the tip of the plunger into the area you want to clear and push until it comes out the other side. You can also ask someone else to assist you.
Another method of clearing vents is to use a garden hose or broomstick. Just place the end of the object inside the pipe, then move it around to loosen whatever is stuck. Keep pressure on the vent while doing this, so you don't accidentally break anything.
5. Switch to A Heat Pump.
Heat pumps are great because they provide both heating and cooling at the same time. This means you won't have to worry about dealing with a fan while trying to stay warm. And because the compressor isn't pumping away like an air conditioner, they run more efficiently.
In addition to saving energy, heat pumps can save you money. Compared to traditional central air conditioning systems, they tend to last longer and require less maintenance.
However, heat pumps can only work when the temperature gets cold enough, usually between 40 degrees F and 60 degrees F. So, make sure you're prepared for the cold weather ahead.
6. Get Serviced by A Technician.
If you haven't had your furnace checked in a while, now would probably be a perfect time. Professional technicians know what to look for when inspecting your furnace and can quickly identify any potential issues. Some symptoms include bad smells from the unit, strange noises, uneven heat, or a failure to start.
Having your furnace inspected once a year is one of the most efficient ways to save energy. The technicians will suggest ways to conserve energy and improve your home's comfort.
7. Use Curtains Wisely.
While many think curtains aren't essential to staying cool, they play a huge part. Curtains can reduce the amount of heat entering your home by 25 percent.
Curtains block direct sunlight, which can cause your home's temperature to rise. Also, the curtains create a barrier that blocks the wind and drafts. These elements help keep your home cooler during the winter months.
So, if you've been putting off getting new curtains, you may want to get them right away. And no matter how old your current curtains are, you can still update them and add some extra insulation.
8. Properly Insulate Ceilings and Attics.
One of the easiest ways to save energy is by properly insulating your ceiling and attic areas. An attic is ample space above your living room or bedroom where you store things like furniture, boxes, and tools. If you have an unfinished attic, it could potentially collect moisture and mold. That makes it easier for the roofing materials to deteriorate over time.
To prevent this from happening, seal up spaces in your attic. Look for places where there might be gaps or holes in your roof. Then fill these spots with caulk or foam tape, like expanding spray foam. You can also purchase fiberglass batts that you can install yourself. They will act much like insulation blankets but without the mess.
9. Rearrange Your Furniture to Provide Better Airflow.
The location of your furniture can significantly affect the amount of heat you lose through windows and doors. While opening the door on the side of your house allows hot air to escape, closing it leaves cold air inside.
Try moving items around, so those rooms open onto an exterior wall rather than an interior one. It's also helpful if you have any fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.
10. Insulate Pipes.
Pipes carry water and other fluids throughout your home. Therefore, they need to be insulated too. But it doesn't just have to be done for plumbing. Try insulating pipes in your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, basement, garage, crawlspace, and attic.
This will help reduce the amount of noise and vibration that travels through piping systems. So you'll listen to quiet running water instead of hearing squeaky hinges or banging pipes every time you turn on the faucet.
11. Install Solar Collectors.
Solar collectors work by collecting sun rays and heating fluid. As soon as the sun goes down, the collector stops working. However, they're not only great for saving money on energy bills; they can also help cut carbon emissions.
You should check your home yearly to see what improvements you can make to conserve more energy whether you decide to upgrade to a more efficient furnace or insulate your walls, at least you know what works best for your home.