Frigid temperatures are making everyone aware that winter is upon us. This season often brings an increase in your home heating bills. The Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants reminds consumers of four easy ways to conserve energy and lower heating bills, without sacrificing comfort.
Open curtains for a little solar heat
The sun can be a powerful heating source, so make use of it in your home. Something as simple as opening the curtains and blinds during daylight hours can let sunlight in to warm the house. When you close them at night, you conserve the warmth that natural light and your home’s heating elements have supplied during the day.
Watch the thermostat
As temperatures drop, you’ll want to set your thermostat higher. But, don’t just set it once and forget about it. You can save a lot on your heating bill by lowering it during the day while you’re away from home and at night when you’re in bed. You can do it manually or automatically by installing a programmable thermostat.
Plug those leaks
Older homes can lose a lot of heat due to air leaks. Gaps around windows and doors let warm air out and cold air in. You can reduce these leaks with caulk and weather-stripping or storm windows.
Insulate, insulate, insulate
Make sure you have enough insulation in your attic to keep heat from rising and seeping out through leaky spaces. It’s also a good idea to cover your water heater with an insulating “jacket” to keep the warmth inside the heater.