The list of things to do before winter comes can become quite long for some homeowners. The storage of gardening tools, emptying the gas in the lawnmower, cleaning the gutters, among many other things that are very specific for your home can keep you busy for the next few weekends. The checklist to prepare you and your home are important to keep your home functioning properly all thru the winter, follow the links below for more information.
18 Ways to Immediately Reduce Your Home Energy and Maintenance Costs
So you’ve just moved into your nice new home. You’ve unloaded the boxes, unpacked most of your stuff, and are just starting to settle into your residence.
Right now is the perfect time to walk through a checklist of ways to save money on your home. Starting on these things as early as possible will allow you to start saving money sooner rather than later.
Here are eighteen things to check on or do immediately that will reduce the energy and maintenance costs of your home over the long haul.
1. Check the insulation in your attic – and install more if needed.
If you have an unfinished attic, pop your head up there and take a look around. You should see some insulation up there, and there should be at least six inches of it everywhere (more if you live in the northern part of the United States).
Reduce home heating costs; avoid home maintenance scams
Another way to keep heating bills under control is to compare electricity wholesalers’ prices at www.energizect.com and select a plan before demand and the cost of electricity increase.
State lawmakers have put into place safeguards to stop wholesalers from the past practices of enticing consumers with a low introductory price, and then hitting them with a significant increase without advance notification.
Consumers who can afford to can pre-purchase heating oil to prevent being subjected to market fluctuations. The cost of heating oil may drop during a mild winter, however, heating oil prices typically rise at this time of year as demand increases. BBB recommends consumers research heating oil suppliers in advance, to ensure they are dealing with a reputable business with an established track record.
A dirty furnace is less efficient, so an annual inspection and cleaning is recommended.
Prevent your heating bills from going through the roof
Heating your home can be a costly endeavor. But you don’t have to make your family suffer in shivering silence to save some money. There are plenty of steps you can take to optimize your heating efforts, as well as prep your home for several months of cool weather.
• Check and maintain your insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawl spaces drain away heat and can encourage mold and mildew.
• Add weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors to prevent drafts which waste energy and money.
• Install a programmable thermostat that shuts itself off during the day when you’re away and at night when you’re asleep. This will keep you comfortable when you’re home and save you money when you’re not.
