We’re accustomed to harsh winters here in Southeastern Michigan, and this year has been no exception. Though many of us may already be tired of the cold, we’ve still got a few months left of heating our houses and dealing with high energy bills. Though heating bills may seem inevitable in our climate, there are a number of ways to decrease your bills and save money and energy, while still keeping your house cozy and warm.
You may feel like you’ve heard it too many times, but sealing your house remains one of the most important things you can do to lower your high energy bills. If you aren’t sure how to find air leaks in your home, consider scheduling a home energy evaluation. You can hire a professional inspector to visit your home and determine where you’re experiencing heat loss and wasting energy.
Once your audit is finished, you’ll get some advice on where to seal and insulate. You can use spray foam, caulk or weatherstripping material to seal any gaps or holes around outlets, door frames and windows. Be sure to add insulation to any areas of the walls or the attic that aren’t filled. If your windows seem particularly drafty, try using plastic sheeting to seal them. You can find weatherization kits at your local hardware store that will contain everything you need for this project.
Another important factor in reducing your heating costs is changing your heating habits. Decreasing the heat needed in your house can make a big difference in your heating bills, even if you only lower the thermostat by one or two degrees. If you want to make this process even easier, try investing in a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can keep track of your schedule, turning the heat down when you’re at work or asleep, and heating the house up just before you return or wake up.
For more information on lowering your high energy bills in the Grosse Pointe, Farmington and Detroit areas, contact Aladdin Heating and Cooling. We’ve been serving the Southeastern Michigan area for more than 65 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy bills and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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