Your heating bill doesn’t have to get as extreme as the weather. You can increase your home’s energy efficiency by following proven methods — and save money doing it.
Did you know that heating and cooling make up more than half of the energy use in a typical U.S. home? This means that for most homeowners, heating and cooling counts as their largest energy expense each month.
The first step in mitigating a utility bill that’s as high as your ceiling is to ensure your home is properly insulated. If not properly insulated, your attic, basement or crawlspace is costing you money. Heat flows out through poorly insulated areas like water through a sieve.
Because heat rises, the first step is to check your attic. Look for reflective foil, foam insulation, or any sort of fiberglass plugs or aluminum flashing. Also, are there any gaps surrounding your furnace or water flues?
When checking the basement and crawlspace, you want to look at any areas where cement meets wood, or where the foundation meets the home itself. Any openings for electric, water or gas lines could also be trouble spots if not properly insulated.
There are a lot of products out there that go easy on your budget while insulating you from utility bill shock. If your heating bill is on the rise, it may be time to check your home’s insulation.
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