A Canadian homeowner spends around $1100 in heating costs in a calendar year.
This amount approximately accounts for half of the total homes energy cost. Unsurprisingly, energy prices often climb throughout the winter due to spending more time indoors, having the lights on, and fending off chilly winds. There’s no denying that you can reduce your heating costs sustainably with some simple hacks. Whether you own a small or large house, our team of experts has drafted six highly effective recommendations to ensure you stay warm and toasty this winter and lower heating costs to a minimum. So, let’s take control of our energy usage and start implementing these proven strategies immediately to reduce heating costs significantly.
How to reduce heating bill
Maintain the furnace: If you have time, try doing the furnace maintenance part yourself. Clean and replace the furnace filters every three months, as dust and dirt are energy vampires. To avoid costly failures and preserve the warranty, a furnace should have a professional tune-up every two years.
Become savvy using your thermostat: To obtain the most out of your thermostat, you must use it to its full potential. Keep your thermostat at 17°C when away from home and 22°C while awake and at home for the most energy savings. Also, remember to bundle up in cozy, warm garments rather than cranking the heat!
Secure your windows: Cold breeze enters mainly through windows and doors. Sealing window and door frames is an inexpensive method to help keep chilly air where it belongs. Filling thin glass windows with bubble wrap is a cost-effective solution. Spritz your windows with water and press the bubbled side of the sheet against the pane. If the plastic loses adherence, re-mist and reconnect using glue.
Installation of foam insulators: You can prevent heat loss by placing foam insulators back of the power outlets and light switches on the outer walls of your house. You may find foam insulators in the electrical area of your neighbourhood hardware shop. It is simple, affordable, and will contribute to your home’s energy efficiency.
Limit the use of equipment with vents: Â Avoid turning on the exhaust fan for an extended period if you need it for cooking. The dryer operates similarly. Any venting device or exhaust fan increases the amount of cool air while venting warm air outdoors. Running these gadgets constantly will make your heater run more often to combat the cold.
Examine each and every corner of your home’s perimeter:  Examine the outside of your house, which serves as the shield separating your home from the outside world. Watch out for blown cobwebs or chilly air entering your home’s basement from the sides. You may buy polyurethane sealer and other solutions to fix basement walls passing air into your house. Purchasing foam seals for the bases of fixtures such as ceiling fans, overhead lights, or wall outlets is another simple suggestion. They are simple to install and effective in keeping the cold air out in the winter.
Some hacks you can use to keep heating bill low
| Consider a smart thermostat (like Nest) that can learn your daily routines for being home and away and adjust the temperature automatically. Some of them can be programmed using a smartphone.
Consider installing a furnace in summer: Considering fewer people are heating their homes in the summer, heating furnaces are less in demand. Consider buying a furnace while replacing your air conditioner to benefit from sales and discounts. Additionally, installing both units together can be less expensive than installing them independently. Framing is Important: Adding storm windows to the present frames is one method to improve heat retention. They stay sealed throughout the year if you replace them with Energy Star-certified double- or triple-glazed windows filled with insulating argon or krypton gas. If your front door allows more drafts than people, opt for upgrading to a sealed model with an insulated core and high-quality weather-stripping. Some modern doors come with a magnetic strip that shuts more firmly. If you have a fireplace that burns wood, remember to close its chimney while not operating. If you don’t, heat will immediately fly up and out. Let the light in: Open the blinds to allow the sun to work; sunlight is a free method to warm a space. Close your curtains after the sun goes down to help trap the heat accumulated during the day. Lock up empty rooms: By closing doors, you’ll just heat the spaces you frequently use. Also, shut the vents in any empty rooms. Recently completed roasting or baking in the oven? Use the heat from the open-oven door to give the kitchen a boost of additional heat. Install ceiling fans to push the hot air back down to people’s level and circulate the warmth. |
DID YOU KNOW
| Are you inclined to have more cash in your pocket? Earn Extra Energy Grants! Schedule an energy audit: Energy grants are offered for windows, doors, water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, attic and basement insulation, and air conditioners and furnaces. You’ll be able to reduce your total energy costs and increase the effectiveness of your home’s air conditioning system if your house is eligible for various incentives. Explore having a professional complete a home energy audit to offer you the most beneficial rebates and help you save money on these expenses to get the most out of your house. Natural Resources Canada has accredited Canada Energy Audit as a Service Organization to conduct residential energy assessments in compliance with the most recent EnerGuide protocols and standards. Along with other advisory services, Canada Energy Audit offers homeowners Enbridge home refunds and free energy grants for water heaters. |
The Bottom Line
Heating uses more energy than any other system in your home. You may conserve energy, save expenditures, and maintain comfort on a budget by combining regular equipment maintenance, insulation, air sealing, and minor behavioral modifications. Saving money throughout the winter might be difficult because of the holiday feasts and gift-buying. But if we follow a few sensible heating practices, we can reduce waste and save on heating bill
