In Canada, fall is the season when reality sets back in. After a hot summer filled with outdoor activities and passion projects around the home, it’s time once again to hunker down and prepare the cold weather.
Cold weather has wide-ranging effects on a home. It can damage the exterior, stress the plumbing and wreak havoc on the eavestroughs. But a less visible, more indirect impact of cold weather occurs on your bank account – namely, through the increase to your energy bill.
As Canada prepares to crank up the thermostat, let’s explore a few ways to save energy this fall and winter. If you’re looking for a September home project, look no further!
Replace Your Windows and Doors
Old windows and doors do a lousy job of keeping heat inside. Especially if they are drafty, improperly installed or low-quality, they can wind up costing you a fortune in added energy costs.
For a one-time investment in energy saving, consider replacing your windows and doors. Choose windows with low-E glass and argon fills, both of which improve energy efficiency. If you can, shop Canadian – this window manufacturer in Kitchener Ontario, for instance, is dedicated to designing and producing efficient windows, and they are proud members of the community.
Choose a Programmable Thermostat
What a difference a programmable thermostat can make! Energy Star estimates that a properly used programmable thermostat can save homeowners anywhere from 10 to 30% on the heating and cooling portion of their energy bills. That’s a big impact for such a small device.
Programmable thermostats achieve these savings by adjusting your home’s heating (and cooling) equipment according to a pre-set schedule. Rather than remaining at a static temperature throughout the day, potentially wasting lots of energy, it fluctuates to maintain an ideal indoor temperature.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Fall is the recommended season for HVAC maintenance, but many homeowners forget about it. Scheduled HVAC maintenance has a profound positive impact on your energy savings. Vent cleaning and air filter replacement are particularly significant since blocked vents, and dirty air filters can render your heating equipment inefficient.
Maximize Your Existing Heat
Finally, if you want to save on energy this fall and winter, make the best use of your home’s existing heat. Here are a few tips to maximize the heat you already have:
- Open the blinds on sun-facing windows. Solar heat is free, so make the most of it during the cold months by keeping those blinds open!
- Layer your clothing. You’ve already paid for your warm clothing, so you might as well put it to work. Let your natural body heat pick up a little slack and save money on your energy bills.
- Keep the vents unobstructed. Don’t waste valuable heat by obstructing vents with couches, rugs, plants or other furnishings.
Saving energy is partly about creating a more efficient home, and partly about making the most of your existing energy sources. Between these two approaches, you should see the dollar amount at the bottom of your energy bill drop as fast as the temperature this fall!
