Cold out, heat in
Tips to save on your home’s energy bills this winter,
Winter is stressful enough with all the preparation leading up to Christmas. When it comes to your home’s energy bills, you can chill out and save money with five helpful tips from Hydro One.
1. According to Ontario’s electricity provider, as much as 13 per cent of your home’s heat could be escaping through gaps around windows and doors. To prevent these costly leaks, fill the gaps around windows with insulation or caulking. If your doors don’t fit properly, a rubber weather stripping on the door frame is an easy way to seal them.
2. Install a programmable thermostat to set the heat at different times of the day. Hydro One recommends 18 C for sleeping or when you’re away for the day, 21 C for relaxing and 16 C when away on vacation.
3. On sunny days, open drapes or blinds to let the warmth in; close when the sun goes down to keep the heat in.
4. Make sure your furnace is running smoothly by checking all intake and exhaust air vents to make sure they are clear and replacing dirty filters. It’s also a good idea to clear the area around your furnace “to ensure it is ventilated with ample circulation of fresh air for combustion.”
5. When using your fireplace, turn down the furnace thermostat. Fires can actually suck heat out of the room, making your furnace work even harder.