· with a few smart strategies, you can learn how to save electricity and keep your home comfortable all season long. These wi-fi enabled systems learn your habits and temperature preferenc. There’s nothing like a hot shower on a cold winter day — but keep in mind that your water heater accounts for up to 18% of your electric bill. “the average furnace will need replacement after about 15 years, but if you take very good care of it and stay diligent about tune-ups, it may last for more than. Insulate your home and seal drafts to keep heat in. Here are a few cost-effective winter energy saving tips to consider for your windows: · dealing with high winter utility bills? Why does your electric bill spike in winter ? With as much as one-thirdof a home’s heat escaping through drafty windows and doors, it’s important to pinpoint and plug any leaks before the cold winter air finds them first. According to dawson, annual tune-ups can add years to the lifespan of your furnace. The most cost-effective way to find leaks is to look for them yourself. · key takeaways: In many cases, homeowners even hand over their pared-down. The department of energy reports your heating system can consume nearly 30% of your energy consumption. See full list on homelight. com Experts recommend tuning up the furnace at least once a year, ideally before the heating season begins. Top real estate agent laura snydersells homes in harford county, maryland, where winter brings cold, snowy weather with low temperatures in the 20-degree range. This is one of the most important winter energy saving tips. Before diving into the solutions, it helps to understand why winter is so tough on our energy usage. While a professional audit will give you the most accurate idea of where your home could use some efficiency improvements, you can also perform a diy version yourself. According to the department of energy , heat escaping and coming in through windows is responsible for up to 30%of residential heating and cooling usage. Closely examine the doors, windows, baseboards, and any other places where small cracks or gaps can fo. Try these expert-recommended winter energy - saving habits that can lower your utility bill and make your house feel more comfortable. Dimartino cites this as one of the most effective ways to winterize a home, helping to retain heat and lower the energy bill. “anything under r-38 could be considered under-insulated, but check your building code for more specific insulation requirements. ” according to. “pay attention to the attic’s insulation r-value (thermal resistance),” he says. A home energy assessment, or home energy audit, is a method to systematically analyze all aspects of your home’s energy use. Lower your thermostat and use energy -efficient appliances. A professional auditor will use technology including infr. Windows are the one of the most critical drivers of a home’s energy efficiency (or lack thereof). Rooter plumbing, recommends insulating the unit to reduce lost heat by 25%-40%, which will reduce utility bills. Enter smart thermostats. According to the department of energy , setting your thermostat back by 7°-10°f for eight hours a day can save up to 10% each yearon heating and cooling costs — but it can be difficult to remember to turn it down before going to bed or leaving the house. To help your water heater operate more efficiently, doyle james, president of mr. If springing for new windows isn’t an option, there are some ways to winterize your existing windows. Take advantage of rebates, switch to led lights, and perform your own energy audit. · try out a few of our ideas on how to save energy this winter and lower your energy bills. Energy -efficient, dual-pane windows are designed to keep cool air inside during hot summer months a. She’s fielding more questions about energy efficiency these days, as buyers tighten budgets and look to reduce their monthly bills.