LICENSE: EC13008455
Bonded, and Insured.
Bonded, and Insured.
Household heating and cooling systems account for nearly half of home energy costs. Temperature control is used the most during winter and summer, leading to dramatic rises in utility costs. The cost of heating your home in the winter is a matter of survival, so the winter months can be especially problematic. Electrical contractors in Orlando offer these simple ways to save money on your utility bill and reduce heating costs while still staying warm through the winter:
Windows are not as well insulated as walls and can become a source of heat loss during the winter months. To prevent extra cool air from entering your home, close your blinds and curtains once the sun goes down. You can easily maximize the energy efficiency of your windows by purchasing insulated curtains.
Sunshine is an excellent source of free heat, which is why your family pet enjoys napping in the sunlight. You can allow the sun to heat your home naturally and take advantage of the greenhouse effect by opening your blinds and curtains during the day.
It is relatively inexpensive, simple, and practical to air seal your home. The benefit of saved energy costs will usually pay for weather-stripping and caulking within the year. You can seal window frames, doors, and other stationary objects using caulk. Window sashes, doors, or anything that moves requires weather stripping for blocking drafts and leaks.
During the winter months, heating rooms that are not used in your house wastes valuable energy. Therefore, it is crucial to shut all doors and close off vents in rooms that are not used. You can avoid heating uninhabited spaces with this practice.
Keeping your body warm is much more cost-effective than heating your house. Wearing warm socks and sweaters around the house can compensate for keeping the thermostat at a low-temperature setting. Thick duvets, blankets, or comforters can help you stay warm at night. Buying your pet a warm coat or sweater can help you keep them warm when you're concerned about their safety.
Ceiling fans offer a great way to keep your house cool in the summer and help keep things warmer in the winter. Ceiling fans can cool your space by rotating counterclockwise. However, you can move warm air that collects near the ceiling down to the rest of a room by using the reverse switch on a ceiling fan to enable it to turn in a counterclockwise motion.
The second highest energy source in your home, aside from heating and cooling systems, is your water heater. Many people keep their water heater thermostat set far too high, requiring lots of energy to heat their water. A water heater is designed to heat water to a specific temperature and maintain that temperature 24 hours a day. Whether you use it or not, your water heater cycles off and on continuously, reheating water to its set temperature. You can save money on electric bills by setting your water heater temperature slightly lower than you already have it. You are unlikely to notice the temperature difference unless you're used to scalding hot showers.
Using space heaters to heat small areas is an energy-efficient way to keep the space warm. Space heaters are an excellent way to heat closed-off areas only occupied for short periods, like bathrooms and garages. However, heat pumps and gas furnace furnaces are much more efficient at heating your entire house.
It would be a gross waste of energy to try to heat your home entirely with your stove. When using your oven for cooking, there's no sense in letting the heat inside be wasted. Leaving the oven door slightly ajar and allowing the extra heat to escape and keep your kitchen warm is a viable option for reducing heating costs.
You can produce significant long-term energy savings by simply lowering your home's temperature by a couple of degrees. Setting the thermostat to the lowest temperature setting you are comfortable with can help to reduce energy costs.
Lowering your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours daily can help you save 10% on your utility bill. For example, when everyone is asleep or no one is home, turn down the temperature in your house. This habit can help you save money while you stay nice and warm under your blankets.
You can do many things around the house to reduce winter heating costs. Electrical contractors in Orlando can help you keep your house energy efficient any time of year. Contact us today for more information.