We are being warned by the US Energy Department that heating costs will be rising by an average 10% per household this winter. This is due to a large increase in fuel costs and a predicted very cold winter (4% colder than last year!). In fact, if you have oil heating you could be looking at a 31% price hike, and if you have natural gas, you may face an 18% increase. That doesn't leave many options, does it?
You may think about finding the axe to chop some wood, and getting the chimney swept, but it won't help. An open fireplace will actually loose your heat as all the warm air from your room is sucked up the chimney. Fire needs oxygen to burn.
This news may inspire you to try and draft-proof your house. Or it may inspire you to go out and buy thermal underwear! Well, of course wearing warmer clothes in the winter time definitely means you can drop your thermostat by a degree or two.
However, no-one wants to see their own breath in the mornings, so let's consider some of the tips that the Energy Department and others suggest.
Check to see if your insulation is complete. Is there a place where you feel a cold spot in your house? Is your attic thoroughly insulated? How about the interior walls, between the sheet rock? Insulate the wall between your garage and the house, if your garage is attached.
If you have rooms you do not use, close the door and turn off the thermostat. Try heating the bathroom only for the times when you have a shower or a bath, then turn off the heat. Keep closet doors closed (in hallways for example.)
On a sunny day, turn off the heat and open the blinds. It may be cold outside, but the sun's radiation can still heat your living room! Keep an eye on the late afternoon cool-down time when it is wise to close the blinds and turn on the heating.
By keeping your home at the optimum humidity levels, you can make yourself feel warmer! Around 20% to 40% is a good level for humidity. This could increase the heat index inside your home making 68 degrees feel like 76 degrees. Sounds like an inexpensive option!
If you heat by hot air ducting, you should ensure to seal all your duct leaks. This is a very common waste of money, in fact, the Energy Department claim that a typical duct system loses approximately 25% to 40% of your furnace's energy. Wow!
The U.S. Energy Department also points out that most homes use natural gas, which is forecasting an 18% increase. If you have natural gas you could supplement it in one of two ways. One of them is solar heating; if you live in an appropriate climate you could look into this possibility.
Another option is wood. Although an open fireplace is not cost-effective, there are some air-tight stoves which can heat large areas of the home. They may raise an environmental question mark? Also they are not usually decorative as most have a black cast-iron door. However, whilst not esthetically pleasing, they will give out a cozy old fashioned heat and that will please your bank balance!
