You can lower heating bill

Metro Creative

Conserving energy is not just an eco-friendly endeavour, but a potentially lucrative one as well.

Thanks to air conditioning systems, energy bills might spike in summer. But winter utility bills also can be costly, especially in homes that have not been winterized.

Windows: A home’s windows can be a great place to start when winterizing a home. If the residents of a home feel cold when sitting near certain windows even though the windows are closed, the windows likely have drafts. Feel around the edges of the window and frame to determine if any cold air is coming in. If so, seal the leaks immediately. Unsealed leaks can make air inside homes cold, prompting many to turn up their thermostats. Air conditioners Homeowners who cool their homes with window air conditioning units may benefit by removing these units from windows before the arrival of winter. Units left in windows may be allowing cold air into a home, leading to more energy consumption and higher energy bills. If removing the units is too difficult or impossible, purchase window unit covers that can be wrapped around the outside of the unit.

Water heater: Heating water accounts for roughly 18 per cent of the energy consumed in a typical home. Set the water heater temperatures to 49 C. Doing so will save energy and money while still providing plenty of warm water.

Fireplace: Homeowners who have fireplaces in their homes should make sure dampers are closed whenever fires are not burning. Open dampers are akin to open windows, allowing plenty of cold air to enter a home. Open dampers in the bottom of the firebox when using the fireplace. Doing so can reduce heat loss and allow homeowners to lower their thermostats while the fireplace is being used.

Homeowners who take steps to conserve energy in winter can save money while protecting the planet.