Tips on reducing heating bills this winter by the professionals at KK Plumbers Lucan
Winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time for dark evenings, heavy coats, hot chocolate, bright lights, holiday feelings, and possible snow flurries. And although you’ll want to enjoy all of these little characteristics that make winter such a magical time of year, it’s important to remember that with the cold weather outside comes a rise in fuel, electricity and heating costs.
As winter fast approaches, you’re probably already noticing that more of your time is being spent indoors in front of a roaring fire with your pajamas and the central heating on. With this, you’re most likely noticing an increase in your heating bill too. With a long winter ahead of us, and with the experts claiming that it’s going to be a cold one, we think it’s ripe time to discuss some ways that you can reduce your heating bill this winter.
Set back the thermostat
One free, very simple and very quick way to reduce your bill is to lower the temperature of the thermostat at night and when leaving your home. The energy that is being used during the daytime to heat the house while no one is home adds up greatly when this becomes a habit that continues over an entire season.
While away on holiday or for an extended period of time from your home, keep your thermostat between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in order to save cash. Any temperature below this could allow for the pipes to freeze and cause an unexpected cost in repairs. 68 degrees Fahrenheit is an energy efficient and cost effective temperature to keep your home comfortable while taking refuge from the cold.
Seal the gaps
Sealing gaps through methods such as weather-stripping, caulking, sealing, and adjusting the exterior threshold around exterior windows and doors is another way to reduce your bill throughout winter. Weather-stripping tools generally cost under €20 and can greatly improve the insulation in the home when applied around the windows and doors.
Caulking is yet another great tool to help seal the smaller cracks that can be missed by other methods. Caulking is also very cheap and you can easily do it yourself at home. Adjusting the exterior threshold around exterior doors can be helpful when there is a shift that creates a gap due to everyday use. This process will take a few more tools and time, but it is still a very cost effective way of saving money in the long-term.
Use a space heater
Space heaters are able to produce enough heat to make a room warm and comfortable at a very low price. The best thing is that a good quality heater can cost as low as €30 and money spent on a small heater will pay for itself when used in place of other more expensive home heating options. Simply put the space heater in whichever room is being occupied and enjoy guiltless heat as well as savings!
Install a programmable thermostat
For those who have a hard time remembering to lower the temperature in the house while away or at night, a programmable thermostat may be the best way to let your bill reduce itself. These devices can cost as low as €25 and allow for major savings.
Programmable thermostats allows homeowners to regulate the temperature at certain times of the day without having to be present or risk forgetting to do it themselves. Programmable thermostats are easy to install and reap long-term benefits for the overall cost of heating during winter.
