Home Energy Saving Tips

Home Energy Saving Tips

With the recent cold weather we’ve been having in Southern Ontario, you probably notice that your gas and energy bills are quite a bit higher in these colder months. While some of those costs are unavoidable, there are definitely some things you can be doing to make your home more efficient and save a bunch on your bills month after month. Here are a few tips:

1. Programmable/Smart Thermostat

Most people have one of these in their home by now, but some either do not or they have them and are not using them properly. A programmable thermostat can be set to run on a predetermined schedule. So for example, if no one is home during the day you can set the temperature to a lower number and have the furnace come on an hour

before you get home. This way your furnace isn’t running all day long in an empty house. A smart thermostat can be controlled by your phone and can learn your habits and adjust itself accordingly. This is definitely a recommended investment.

2. Furnace Maintenance

Regular furnace maintenance is another often overlooked aspect of home ownership. People will often ignore their unit until there is a problem that needs to be fixed. While some problems are unavoidable, getting your furnace inspected and serviced by a professional every year or two can be very beneficial in the long run. It can also help your furnace to run more efficiently. And be sure to change your furnace filter regularly. Every 2-3 months normally and more frequently during the winter months. If you are going through a renovation it is a good idea to change it every week or two if there is a lot of dust. And while we do not recommend getting on their phone call list, getting your ducts cleaned may be a good idea also if you haven’t done so in a while.

3. Check For Drafts Around Doors and Windows

A lot of homes lose a lot of heat through their windows and doors. While it may not be in the budget to upgrade your doors or windows at the moment, you can certainly improve or fix any drafts of air coming in. First, inspect all doors and windows. You can use a lighter, a candle or even light some incense and carry it along the perimeter. If you notice any blowing from outside, then you have a draft. This can be fixed by having the caulking on your exterior redone, adding some spray foam around the door and window jambs from the inside, and ensuring your caulking is done correctly on the inside as well. If you are noticing a lot of cold air from the bottom of the door, you can easily add weather stripping or a door sweep to help this.

4. Attic Insulation Top Up

A lot of older homes especially have an insufficient amount of blown in insulation in the attic. As heat rises, it can escape through there causing energy loss in your home. Building codes have changed over time, products have improved and standards have risen. Call in an insulation company to inspect your attic. They can either remove and replace all of it, or just do a “top up”. Not a huge expense and can make a big difference.

5. Space Heaters

If you are finding you are most often in one or two rooms of the house and find them a little chilly. Rather than pumping up the heat in the whole house, add a space heater in those one or two rooms to make it more comfortable. Make sure it is a newer model which is much safer and more efficient than the older style ones.

6. Thermostat Location

Ensure your thermostat is located in a central position in your home so it gets and accurate reading. If your thermostat is located right beside a window or a door, it is likely a little colder in those areas so it will continue to call for heat.

Bonus Tip:

Keep your doors open so air circulates properly. Your HVAC system is designed to work and a whole throughout the house. Oftentimes, people will close certain doors or vents in rooms they don’t use. This can cause poor airflow and the rest of the house trying to compensate for that colder area now. Let the air flow.

Any other ideas on how to save on energy costs or have a specific question about your home? Let us know in the contact form below. If you liked this post or know someone who would benefit from reading it, share it with them!