The official start of winter is weeks away but temperatures across Long Island have already started to fall. As winter weather arrives, so do the associated costs of heating your home. Since heating and cooling costs typically account for about half of a home’s yearly energy costs, taking a few hours to improve your home’s heat retention can pay dividends. Here are some tips for heating your home and even save money on your home’s heating costs.
- Upgrade Your Window CoveringsCurtains and blinds can help insulate your home, in addition to their aesthetic appeal. Thicker window coverings that are attached to the window frame or wall can reduce heat loss by up to 25%. Adding a second layer of curtains can also help improve insulation. Another type of insulating window covering is dual shades, white on one side and dark on the other. They can be reversed during summer and winter months to absorb winter sunlight and keep out the summer sun.
- Reseal Doors and WindowsReseal drafty windows with new caulking and weather-stripping. Apply new caulk around windows that don’t open and use it to fill in other exterior cracks. Caulk goes on white and dries clear so you don’t need to worry about it not matching your paint. Make sure that you select caulk appropriate for exterior doors and windows, as some caulk is specifically made for interior applications such as around bathtubs, interior plumbing, drains, and faucets.
Reseal and replace the weather-stripping on doors and windows that are actively used. Weather-stripping is available in several materials including foam, vinyl, and metal. The material used is based on the particular application, budget, and aesthetics. You can find everything you need during a trip to your local home improvement store.
- Install a Programmable ThermostatIf you don’t have a programmable thermostat, upgrade now. Schedule your home’s heating based on your lifestyle. Lower the house temperature at night when everyone is sleeping and during the day when you’re at work or school. Set it to turn on half an hour before you wake up or get home so your home is warm. High-end smart thermostats cost several hundred dollars but basic programmable thermostats can cost as little as $20. How much money can the unit save? Some studies indicate a savings of around 6%, although the EPA provides a broader savings range of 10 to 30%.
- Check Your Heating SystemA few hours of work can help reduce home heating costs. You can handle all of these tasks on your own and shouldn’t need a professional’s assistance.
- Change the air filter in your furnace once a month. If the air filter is dirty, your system will overwork itself and reduce overall system efficiency.
- Check and reseal your home’s ductwork. Seal any leaks and reinsulate the ducts for maximum airflow.
- Clear the areas around your vents and heating system. By improving air circulation/intake and allowing your furnace, boiler, and pipes adequate clearance to operate, you will maximum system efficiency and extend its overall life.
- Upgrade Your Heating SystemIf your home’s boiler is over 10 years old, chances are it’s costing you too much money to run. Upgrade your system to a new heat pump or a high-efficiency hybrid boiler system like the Energy Kinetics System 2000 complete heating system. By upgrading your heating system, you can reduce energy costs by hundreds of dollars a year.
A heat pump moves heat using only a small amount of energy for maximum efficiency. It pulls heat from the air or ground and heats your home. Heat pumps are an alternative to furnaces and air conditioners as they are also used in the summer as an efficient cooling system. They don’t burn fuel so they are also environmentally friendly
The Energy Kinetics System 2000 is a high-efficiency system that can accommodate natural gas, oil, propane, or Bioheat. If you change fuel sources, a single component change is needed to adapt the unit for use with the new fuel source. The hot water heater uses an advanced heat exchanger to ensure a never-ending supply of hot water.
Call for Home Heating Services
Express C.O.D is the premier source for discount COD home heating oil. We offer a full range of services for oil heat and gas heat systems. Our parent company, Tragar Home Services, has been serving Nassau County and Suffolk County residents for over 60 years, with the highest attention paid to 5-star customer service. For information about heating system upgrades or to schedule an oil delivery, call Express C.O.D today at (516) 221-2559.
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