Lower 'scorching' winter heat bills |
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If you have a few hundred dollars to spend on making your home more energy efficient, you can expect to see a return
on investment in one to two years, according to Szoradi. Consider the following:
Saving with a small investment
Buy a programmable thermostat. At a cost of about $100, a programmable thermostat lets you lower the
temperature of your home while you're at work and set it to rise before you come back home. The savings can be substantial because you
can save between 5 percent and 15 percent by rolling the thermostat back 10 degrees to 15 degrees for eight hours a day, according to
the U.S. Department of Energy which offers an online savings calculator.
Have your heating system serviced. Not only will servicing your heating system help ensure
that it lasts as long as possible, but spending a couple hundred dollars for a tuneup can ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible,
saving you money in the process. Get a tuneup every year for oil-fired systems, every two years for gas furnaces and three years for heat
pumps, advises Randy Scott, vice president of product systems management for heating system provider Trane.
Blanket your water heater. Place your hand on your water heater. If it feels warm to your
touch that means it's not well insulated and is losing heat, Szoradi says. A $20 water heater blanket could give it the insulation that
it needs, but first check the unit manufacturer's specifications, warns Marston. "Some don't recommend the blanket and will void the
warranty if the blanket is used," he says.
Change your window treatments. About one third of a home's heat loss comes from windows
and doors, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Add insulation to your windows by purchasing double cellular shades and thinking
in layers, for example, adding thick draperies in addition to blinds or shades.
Enlist the aid of an efficiency expert. If you have a few hundred dollars to spend,
consider hiring an energy auditor to use special equipment to identify areas of air leakage in your home. Armed with that information, you
can have them correct the problems or you can caulk and weatherproof your home yourself. Seal ducts in attics, crawlspaces and unfinished
basements and do wonders for your heating bill.
Humidify efficiently. Room and home-size electric humidifiers are widely available -- ranging
from $25 for 700 square feet to less than $100 to cover as much as 2,000 square feet.
Making major renovations to your home to increase energy efficiency can run in the thousands of dollars, but if you're
planning to live there for many more years, you'll make much of your money back over the next decade, Szoradi says. Here are some suggestions:
Spending more to save more
Replace your heating system. Because a heating system can run $10,000 or more, most people wait for their old systems
to break down before buying a new one, says Marston. But if you're planning to buy one, spend the extra money for the most energy-efficient unit
you can afford. Look for Energy Star-qualified models, which are 15 percent more efficient than standard models, the Department of Energy
estimates. Figure out your savings by using this heating system
replacement ROI calculator.
Replace windows, doors and skylights. Energy Star-qualified windows, doors and skylights use
double- or triple-paned glass and special coatings that keep heat inside during the winter. For a big energy savings boost, consider making
the investment. The increased insulation will cut down your heating bills -- and summer cooling costs -- over time.
Install ceiling fans. By rotating the blades in a clockwise direction, you'll be pushing hot
air down from the ceiling back into the room, says Dave Walton, director of home ideas for North American energy provider Direct Energy.
During the summer months, those same ceiling fans will also cut your cooling costs, providing year-around savings.
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