The colder months are here and homeowners know what’s up. They will need to prepare as temperatures drop, or risk having to pay a lot for heating. Indeed, heating is one utility you will need for the winter, but your goal here is to avoid high costs. After all, a smart homeowner is a thrifty homeowner.
That being said, you will need to use practical measures to improve your home’s insulation. This is one step to warming up your home without having to adjust the thermostat. There are various ways you can do so, and here are some of the most important tips you might want to consider.
- Close your windows at night
For the long winter months, you will need to make sure that your home takes in a lot of warm air. You will also need to prevent warm air from escaping, especially during the nighttime. For sure, it’s not only a standard home security measure, but closing your windows at night allows you to keep warm air inside.
However, air can still escape through narrow gaps between the hinges. In such cases, you may want to install heavy curtains made from wool and other insulating materials. You may also use rugs and carpets to provide additional blockage to airflow.
- Provide proper insulation
The advantage of insulated concrete form or ICF homes is that they provide added energy efficiency. These homes are made from prefabricated concrete materials that allow for effective thermal insulation. This is the reason why many ICF homeowners are able to pay a small amount for heating.
You can still tap into the benefits of these types of homes by simply investing in proper insulation for your walls. For this, make sure you choose materials that are inexpensive. Insulating foam is often the standard for mid-size homes, but cellulose and fiberglass are also great options.
- Install a programmable thermostat
Did you know you can drive heating costs down without having to overhaul your entire heating system? You only need to replace your thermostat with a digital one. Many homes today come with programmable thermostats.
Programmable thermostats are ideal for larger homes. One advantage is that they allow you to set your heating automatically depending on external and internal conditions. It automatically adjusts to the most optimal temperature. Programmable thermostats are also great for restricted heating, in which you can heat specific areas around the house, enabling you to avoid paying for heating you don’t really need.
- Let in natural light
During the daytime, a small period of sunshine gives you an opportunity to improve heating around the home. For this, you may want to open your curtains and doors to let in the sunshine. Once the sky turns gloomy again, you can then shut your doors and windows and make sure to close any gaps.
And speaking of gaps, you may also want to check your home for possible air leakages. Focus on your basement and your attic, and make sure you seal up these gaps for optimum airflow blockage.
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