Energy Conservation In Your Home This Winter – Protecting the Environment AND Your Wallet

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One of the most significant money mongers is the heating bill in a home – especially during the coldest winter months.  And one of the best ways to address the heating efficiency in your home is to take a few measures that will ensure efficient running, ending up in less waste and more money in your pocket.  We’ve put together some tips to help get you started this year on the winterizing energy kick you and your house can benefit from:

Seal Gaps In Doors, Windows and Access Points

Many people underestimate the power of proper seals in windows and doors and how keeping a bit of draft out can make all the difference in keeping the home warmer all winter long.  For a few dollars, you can buy a caulking gun and some caulk to re-caulk the draft spaces – plus you can replace door seals if they are corroded. You will be surprised at how much of a difference this change makes.  This is something that should be checked every year, though it may not be necessary to do it each year. The savings can add up to several hundred dollars year-round and also positively affects cooling efficiency during the warmer months.

Get An Energy Audit Performed

Depending on where you live, you can request a free energy audit from agencies that come out and perform a thorough check on your home and its energy use. If you are in the Fairbanks area contact the Golden Valley Electrical Association or GVEA or follow that link for the GVEA's Home$ense Program. You will also benefit with a pack of energy saver light bulbs (usually up to $100 worth of bulbs).  You can find a list of reputable agencies to perform free energy audits here.  All in all, the savings can pile up quickly when you take a few steps to actively reduce energy use in your home.

Have Regular Maintenance and Service Checks Done

By having the major heating and cooling appliances in your home regularly checked and serviced, not only can you prevent major expenses from occurring by catching problems before they surface but you can also preempt any issues from developing.  Keeping your appliances in good working order will result in them running better, producing better results and spending less energy to accomplish these results.

There are many functional and financial advantages to getting energy efficiency upgrades for your furnace system as well.  Minor changes can have a major impact on the amount of money it costs to heat (and cool) your home since fuel costs are significantly reduced.

Harness the Sun’s Energy

Since grade school we have learned about the power of the sun’s energy and this could not be truer in practical life.  A lot of homeowners have no idea of how much warmth they can generate in their home just from the heat from the sun’s rays.  Depending on the position of your home, you can heat up a room quite a bit by keeping the shades open.  Skylights also have a good deal of impact on the heat (and light) of a room.

Cut Back on Excessive Energy Usage

When possible, turn extra lights off, use electrical appliances only when necessary, turn the TV off when it is not being viewed, and set your thermostat on an automatic timed schedule.  These measures and other similar things will reduce the expenditure of energy in your home and you will notice a sizable reduction in your electric and heating bill.  For even more success, get the entire household involved so that it is a collective effort.
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There are myriad ways to conserve on energy.  On the Internet you can find many resources for tips and tricks on how to make adjustments that end up helping to save money while protecting our environment as well.