What's the easiest way to reduce my heating bills?
The first stop is your thermostat - setting it back ten degrees over an eight-hour period can lower your heating costs by 10 percent.
Another good option is to add more attic insulation; upgrading from three inches to 12 inches can reduce your heating costs by 20 percent.
Weatherizing is also important - sealing up those drafty holes and cracks can help you save another 10-15 percent.
Should we close off the heating vents in rooms we don't use?
You might be surprised to learn that most manufacturers do NOT recommend closing vent if you have a central heating system like a forced-air furnace.
Your furnace is sized to heat a specific square footage of living space, and it can't sense when a register is closed. It will keep running at the same pace, providing no significant energy savings.
In addition, cold air from the unheated room will seep into heated areas, which is the equivalent of a big, drafty window.
Learn more about ducts and vents
Is it true that using our wood-burning fireplace can actually raise our heating bill?
Yes - a wood-burning fireplace is one of the most inefficient ways to heat a room.
Here's why: hot air rises, so the majority of the air warmed by the fire goes straight up the chimney. Only a small percentage of warm air will find its way into the room. The warm air leaving the room is replaced by cold air infiltrating from outdoors and other areas of the home.
If you can't bear to give up your wood-burning fireplace, try our tips for using fireplaces efficiently. |
