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7 Ways to Save on Energy Costs

During the colder months, it is not unusual to watch heating bills skyrocket within a few days. If you are someone who can relate to this dilemma, follow the following tips & tricks to drop your heating bill up to 50%. Remember, though, that the more effort you put in to sealing off your house, the lower your bill will drop!

Image via www.energy.gov

1. Use the sun's heat - If there's  a warm sun in the sky, let it in your house to help rise the temperature a bit. Having heavy, insulated curtains is a great start, but the sun's heat can really impact the temperature of your home if you utilize it at the right time of day. 

2. Seal off cracks & crevices - Some people use plastic window insulation kits to seal off windows. This method is relatively cheap, and if done properly, it can save you a ton of money if you have poorly insulated or old windows. Quick tip: don't forget your chimney if it goes unused! 

3. Add weatherstripping or caulking where necessary - This tip is one of the easier tips to navigate in your home. To find out what areas need weatherstripping or caulking, simply put your hand in front of door cracks, crevices, and in small crawlspaces. If there is airflow, cut that off by filling in gaps.

4. Turn down the temperature - When it's appropriate, turn down the temp. If you're going to be gone at work from early morning to early evening, knock down the temperature in your home from 68 to 64. A good rule of thumb is for every degree you drop your thermostat, your bill will drop 1%. 

5. Invest in warm clothing - You don't need to bundle up like you're going to Alaska to save on your heating costs. Instead, approach this idea reasonably. Go out and get some nice, fuzzy slippers, a robe, or a plush blanket for the couch. Then, you can justify dropping your temperature a few degrees, and you'll still be comfortable. 

6. Insulate your pipes - And, if you're a homeowner, insulate your hot water heater.  On average, hot water takes up about 18% of most heating bills. As a result, insulating the source of your water heater makes perfect sense. 

7. Cap the temperature on your hot water heater - If you cap your hot water heater at 120 degrees, you'll never burn your hands again, and you'll save on heating costs.

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