It’s only September, but already we’re seeing some cooler weather. We’re not complaining! After the sweltering summer we just had, a few 70-degree days are more than appreciated.
But as we all know, once cooler weather sets in, it’s only a matter of time before we have a full-fledged Pennsylvania winter on our hands. Once that happens, you may find yourself wondering if there’s anything you can do to lower your spiraling-out-of-control heating bill.
Take action now. This week, we’ve put together a list of fall home remodeling tasks you can complete to lower your energy bill this winter. Investing in your home now will save you money later!
1. Those old windows aren’t cool.
In fact, your old windows are making your house a lot cooler than it should be! Lower the energy bill this winter by replacing your outdated windows with new, energy-efficient ones that keep heated air from escaping. If this fall home remodeling tip seems too much for you, consider replacing a few large windows instead of all of them. Remember that savings on heating bills will help offset the cost of installation in the long run!
2. Insulate yourself against high heating bills.
Insulation is one of the simplest, most cost-effective means of keeping your home’s energy bill low. By containing warm air and keeping out the cold, insulation actually saves over 600 times more energy each year than Energy Star Appliances, Energy Star Windows, and compact fluorescent lights combined. (That’s according to McKinsey.)
If you suspect your home’s insulation isn’t up to par, our fall home remodeling advice is to have it assessed and replaced if necessary. Otherwise you could be paying much more on heating than you need to be every single winter.
3. Give ceiling fans a spin.
Install ceiling fans to lower the energy bill? Don’t ceiling fans make the house cooler, not warmer?
Actually, ceiling fans are helpful for several reasons. First, they circulate the heated air you’re paying for. Second, as the warm air in your living space rises, ceiling fans force it back down to where you can actually appreciate it.
For best results, run ceiling fans at a low speed going counter-clockwise. With warm air redirected to where it actually makes an impact on your comfort, you may require less heat and lower your energy bill this winter!
4. Put your old fridge out in the cold.
Here’s a fall home remodeling tip you might expect: Give your ancient refrigerator the boot.
Because energy bills creep up in winter, now’s the time to do away with appliances that suck down electricity. If your refrigerator is from 1980 to 1989, replacing it with a new Energy Star fridge will save you about $150 a year on your energy bill. Within five years, your new machine will have paid for itself.
What are some of your methods of lowering the energy bill in the winter months? Let us know in the comments!
Photo credit: Jim Bauer, Flickr Creative Commons
