Ways to Save Money When You Winterize Your Home

If you live in certain parts of the country, you can already feel it in the air-winter is right around the corner. This means it is time to starting thinking about how to winterize your home for the season.

If you properly winterize your home you can save on heating costs.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Americans will pay 15 percent more for heating expenses than last year.

Here, we share ways to save money on your energy bills when you winterize your home.

Save Five to 30 Percent of Energy by Blocking the Cold Air

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste five to 30 percent of energy use per year. There are many reasons why cold air may be coming into your home.

For example, cold air could sneak into your home from underneath your door or cold air can leak through the cracks of your windows, especially it they are old.

Little gaps in windows, doors, or cracks in the walls can let cool air in, which means you will have a higher energy bill.

Using the following simple tricks to keep the cold air from coming into your home can saving money on the heating bills:

Seal the gaps and cracks using caulk.
Use a draft snake to block the draft. You can make your own or buy a pre-made draft snake.
Tape bubblewrap on your windows to block the cold air.

Install Storm Doors to Winterize Your Home and Increase Energy Efficiency by 45 percent

If the cracks in your door increase the air flow in and out of your home, it means warm air is going out and cold air is coming in. Winterize your home by installing a storm door. A storm door can seal those drafts and help reduce air flow, resulting in an increase in energy efficiency by 45 percent.

Save 10 percent Per Year on Your Energy Bill by Controlling Your Thermostat

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning down your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day can save 10 percent per year on your energy bill.

You can control your energy bill by setting your thermostat to 50 or 55 degrees when you go to bed at night or leave for work in the morning. You probably won’t miss the warmer temperature while you’re asleep or away from the house, and it will help lower heating costs.

Keeping your thermostat high will keep your house warm but it can also increase your energy bill.

Save Six to 10 percent on Your Energy Bills by Lowering Your Water Heater’s Temperature

Check to see if your water heater is on a default setting. Conventional water heaters are generally set at 140 degrees fahrenheit, but most houses only need a setting of 120 degrees to be comfortable. Therefore, check your water heaters and adjust down to 120 degrees. According to Energy Savers, lowering your water heater temperature by 20 degrees can save you six to 10 percent on your bills.

These are just some of the ways you can affordably and easily winterize your home to stay warm as well as save on heating costs.

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Council for Disability Awareness has written 478 posts in this blog.

The Council for Disability Awareness is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the American public about the risk and consequences of experiencing an income-interrupting illness or injury. The CDA engages in research, communications, and educational activities that provide information and helpful resources to wage earners, employers, financial advisors, consultants, and others who are concerned about the personal and financial impact a disability can have on wage earners and their families.