10 Tips to Cut Back on Home Heating Costs This Year

This winter, you might be seriously looking into home budget cutbacks. In times of uncertainty, it’s important to save money wherever you can. So how can you cut back on your home heating costs this year? Here’s how you can slash your heating bill with a few maintenance tasks you can knock out in a weekend.

1. Weatherstrip Your Doors

A typical home heating cost vampire is your front door. As time passes, wood expands and contracts with the elements, compromising the integrity of the seal. This means holiday guests aren’t the only ones passing through your door — the cold outside air may become an unwanted intruder.

The answer is to add weatherstripping. You can find this spongy stuff at any hardware store, and even a DIY novice can apply it. As a bonus, a tight seal will help deter insects from entering.

2. Caulk Your Windows

The door isn’t the only source of air leaks in the home. Do you catch a chill sitting by your bay window? Over time, tiny cracks in the seams can suck out energy.

If this is the case, it’s time to make friends with the caulk gun. You need to pick the right caulk for the job. Then, take steps to ensure a smooth, drip-free application. Cut out and clean the window of any old caulk, then tape down the area to ensure smooth lines for caulk application. This will keep your handiwork looking neat and professional.

3. Replace Windows When Needed

How do you know when it’s time to replace your old windows? While caulk can fix minor issues, conditions such as rotting wood or broken panes or seals require replacement. Likewise, if a window won’t open due to lack of use, time and the elements may have created an unbreakable seal.

Fortunately, today’s windows often feature the coveted ENERGY STAR seal and double-pane design. If your home was built before 1960, old, single-pane models don’t conserve nearly as much heat.

4. Insulate Your Garage

When it’s 20 degrees below zero and you come home laden with provisions, you probably pull in and shut the garage against the cold. However, if your space is uninsulated, you may as well open your front door and welcome the outside air.

Plus, if you have a room above your garage, it will always feel cold if the space below it lacks insulation. If your home office lies there, you might crank up the heat during the day, increasing your heating costs. Insulation costs a fraction of the price you’d pay for oil or electricity.

5. Upgrade Your Garage Door

Just like your front door, your garage door can likewise let warm air escape. A quality garage door is not just a safety necessity, but a home heating cost-saver as well.

If your garage door has an automatic function, you must inspect all parts regularly to keep them working as intended. If you have a home office or gym in your garage, an insulated door is a must for comfort. A space heater is sufficient to keep this small area toasty — if there isn’t a breeze.

6. Inspect Your Attic

According to the folks at Energy.gov, you should replace your attic insulation every 15 years, sooner if you see signs of trouble. Climb up in that crawlspace and look for any areas left uncovered. Check for signs of mold or water damage, such as pink stuff peeling away from walls.

If you have attic windows, take your caulk gun with you to reinforce them. Do you use a fireplace? If so, check for any chimney cracks while you’re up there.

7. Try Some Home Design Tricks

Dark curtains can block the summer heat and UV rays from damaging floors and furnishings. However, in the winter, these dressings can prevent you from cutting back on home heating costs by taking advantage of passive solar.

Uncover the windows on the southern side of your home and let the rays heat those rooms. If areas on the northern side get too chilly, consider installing a skylight to let the sun do its magic there as well.

Finally, one frequent culprit of improper home heating is obstruction. If your heating system feels inefficient, check that no baseboards or radiators are blocked by furniture. Rearranging your living spaces in fall and winter can optimize heating units and keep rooms toasty in chilly weather.

8. Look Into Alternative Energy Options

There’s great news if you want to pursue eco-friendly practices while you cut back on home heating costs. You can now find portable solar panels to take advantage of savings potential — or go all-in and consider solar panels for a more long-term renewable energy investment.

If you own your home, many states have programs that provide incentives for switching to solar. You can still claim a 26% federal tax credit if you convert by the end of 2020. The tax credit drops to 22% in 2021.

9. Consider Space Heaters

If you shy away from space heaters because of the risk factors, you have a solid reason for concern. However, today’s models have improved safety features like automatic shutoffs that reduce the fire hazard.

Space heaters can still help you out, particularly if you spend most of your day in the same room. Consider investing in one if your home office doesn’t stay warm even when you crank the thermostat to 78. Make sure you unplug it when you leave the room and keep it out of the reach of children.

10. Put on a Sweater

Way back in the 1970s, former President Jimmy Carter caught flack when he advised people to don a sweater when they got cold to save heating oil. While this might not necessarily be the best leadership advice, it’s certainly still applicable for homeowners looking to save a little money.

Let’s face it: Anyone who has ever worked in an office knows some people freeze while others swelter at the same thermostat setting. The best way to save on costs if you’re chilly is to add a few more layers of clothing. With the advent of Sherpa socks and robes, you can find products so cozy, you’ll turn the heater down just to wear them.

Cut Back on Home Heating Costs This Year With These Tips

It’s always wise to cut back on home heating costs. Fortunately, weatherproofing your home doesn’t require major renovation — only a few hours with a caulk gun, some weather stripping and some thoughtful home design. Save your hard-earned cash this year with the 10 tips above.

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated, a home improvement site with tips for homeowners and contractors.

Be Aware of Fire Hazards

Did you know that most fires occur during the winter time? As many heaters and more electricity is used during the winter, the risk for fires to start is much higher. Everything from overloaded circuits, candles, Christmas tree fires, cooking fires and more all pose an immediate threat. Be sure to always remain in careful this winter, especially during the holidays as thing become hectic.

In the event a fire does occur, don’t hesitate to evacuate everyone and call the fire department, followed by your insurance company and local fire damage restoration provider. As soon as the flames are extinguished, the smoke will spread throughout the home and cover the remaining surfaces in a thick, oily residue.

But an emergency fire restoration service can quickly restore building materials and items to their original condition. They can also provide odor removal services to get rid of strong smoke smells from your home. Don’t hesitate to call these professionals during a fire emergency.