No one wants to be dealing with skyrocketing energy bills from month to month, and new window installation in Dawson Creek is one of the best ways to have your home being more energy efficient throughout the year. With new windows that contain two or three panes, your once cold and draft home will become a climate-controlled home that will have natural light flowing throughout it. Having a lower energy bill is something that can put a smile on anyone’s face, and there are a number of things that you can do in order to keep that energy bill from getting any higher.
It always helps to have a nice list to refer to if you’re wanting to increase the energy efficiency of your home. While some of these tips might be a little outside of the realm of a DIY task, consider contacting a window contractor for more information on ways to keep your energy efficiency maintained. A lot of these tasks are straightforward and don’t take too much time to do, while others are a little more involved. Either way, you should highly consider each and every one.
What Are Some Ways I Can Save On My High Energy Bills?
Get A Programmable Thermostat
One of the easiest ways to save money on energy bills is to just go out and purchase a programmable thermostat. After you purchase one, set it up so that your furnace will activate right before you get up and then shut off while you’re at work for the duration of the day. Then set it so that the furnace will activate again about an hour before you get home so that your home will be nice and warm for when you arrive. Doing something as simple as that can result in a decent chunk of energy savings throughout the year.
Keep Your Windows Maintained
Too many people get new windows installed and then just forget about them. Nearly 25% of the heat loss in a home is the result of windows not doing their job properly, and it’s the job of a homeowner to make sure that the windows are doing their job. To make sure that your home isn’t dealing with any heat loss during the colder months of the year, keep your curtains open throughout the day so that the natural light of the sun can warm up your home.
Throughout the night, shut your curtains so that the heat will stay in your home and keep it heated during the night. If you really want to prevent the warm air from getting outside, consider installing plastic window treatments on your windows. Doing this will ensure that the heat has a more difficult time escaping out of your home. If you currently have old single-pane windows, you might want to upgrade to double or triple-pane windows. The upfront cost might seem to be a little more, but it should also be seen as an investment because you’ll be saving money on your energy bills each month.
Air Filters
Always keep an eye on the condition of your air filters. With clean air filters, the air has the increased ability to flow through the heating system. That means that you’ll be getting better ventilation throughout your home. Doing this can also ensure that your furnace isn’t working on overdrive, and that will prevent it from breaking down sooner than it should. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to change your air filter once a month. On a monthly basis, take a look at it and see if it’s accumulating any dirt and debris. Doing something as simple as this can ensure your energy bills won’t be getting out of hand. In addition, you’ll be breathing cleaner air.
Leaks
You’ll want to routinely check for leaks in the windows of your home. It’s always easy to check for leaks when the air outside is much cooler than the air inside of your home. It also helps if it’s quite windy outside. On a cool and windy day, walk near your:
- Windows
- Doors
- Attic
- Electrical outlets
Upon walking near each of the above areas, run your hand along the area and see if there are any signs of cold and drafty air leaking in. Take a flashlight to see if there are any tiny gaps in these areas. If you do notice any gaps, you’ll want to adequately seal the area with caulk or weatherstripping. Leaks can result in increased energy costs throughout the year without you even being aware of it. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to invest in window treatments, consider getting some bubble wrap and installing it over your windows. Bubble wrap comes off quite easily and doesn’t leave a trace of residue on the windows.
Insulation
Keeping your home properly insulated is an effective way at making sure your energy bills don’t get too high from month to month. Insulated windows will make sure that the warm air stays inside your home during the cold months of the year and that the cool air stays in your home during the summer months of the year.
Insulating might seem like a straightforward task to do, but it can sometimes become a little more complicated than it looks. You have to make sure you’re putting just the right amount of insulation in your home so that all of the gaps are completely covered up. Start with insulating your attic because that is usually a big concern for a lot of homes.
Ensure Your Heating Ducts Are Sealed
You’ll always want to make sure that your heating ducts are completely sealed off from leaks. To seal your heating ducts, get some metallic tape and start taping around the area. Metallic tape can be found at the majority of home improvement stores. To do a proper job, apply your metallic tape over duct tape because doing things the opposite way can cause deterioration.
Space Heaters
Bedrooms can sometimes get a little uncomfortable and chilly if your only method of heating your home is through using a programmable thermostat. Consider getting a space heater for your office or bedroom to keep it nicely heated.
Humidifier
Air that is higher in moisture content will hold heat much more efficiently than dry air will be able to. For that reason, consider getting a humidifier for your home. Your skin will be less dry, you’ll be able to breathe easier, and you’ll have less static electricity in your home.
Window Installation in Dawson Creek is an effective way to have your energy bills reduced throughout the year. To get started with your window installation, contact NorthTech Windows & Doors today!
