Ways to Save on Heating Cost this Winter

                                                                                         

Winter conjures thoughts of white fun with the loads of sports and activities that it brings like skating, snowboarding and skiing. The season also entails increased home heating costs. With the economic recession that many homeowners are struggling through, this becomes too much of a financial burden. Now more than ever is the time to be looking for ways to save on home heating especially that those cold and snowy months are nearing. Money-saving methods for your New York home may be free, cost little or much but nevertheless are great investments. This article gives out tips ideal whether you are in Long Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island or Queens.


Insulate

One of the most effective steps in lowering energy consumption and heating cost is ensuring proper insulation. Over the years, the insulation of your older home will degrade requiring the need for additional insulation. And to add, products today are far more energy-efficient than with what was available some years back. According to the Department of Energy, the simplest task of providing an insulation jacket for your water heater that costs around $20 decreases heat loss to about half giving you a good cutback of 4% to 9% on operation costs. Other areas that particularly need insulation are the exterior walls, basement and attic. Depending on the material used, there are different measures indicating enough insulation. A drafty-feeling home that is uncomfortably warm in summers and cold on winters indicate not enough or improper insulation.


Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks that let out warm air in winter amounts greatly for wasted energy dollars. Sealing air leaks helps you save on heating costs by maximizing the heating efforts of your system. To test your house for such leaks, a simple method you can use is through utilizing a ‘draft detector’. Draft detectors can come in the form of a smoke pen, stick of incense, or a very thin piece of tissue. On a windy day, hold any of this out near windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, attic hatches, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, and other possible areas where air leaks. You can also opt hire professionals to evaluate your home for you.

There are different methods to plug air leaks including:

• Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows
• Apply insulation tapes to gaps where air leaks
• Apply sheeting to doors leading to areas unused during winter like garage and work sheds
• Foam or caulk exhaust fan housing, electrical wiring openings, soft fits over cabinets, and other areas where plumbing and ducting penetrates
• Caulk joints and joists that connect


Energy Efficiency

By availing of better energy efficiency, homeowners are not just saving dollars on heating cost during winters but also earn themselves tax incentives. There are many areas in your house that can affect overall energy efficiency, here are some items that you can avail of to boost savings and lower heating cost:

1. HVAC system- opt for a more efficient model of furnace
2. Energy efficient windows
3. High efficiency home filters
4. Install programmable thermostats
5. Make use of products promoting usage of free energy sources such as solar panels and other such equipment

Though working on achieving better energy efficiency to save on heating cost this winter can lead to huge initial expenses, think about the long term savings and benefits. These steps will pay back year after year and make a more comfortable place out of your home throughout the year.

About the author:
Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid pitfalls by matching their needs with prescreened heating companies New York.

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