5 Ways to Make your Home More Energy Efficient this Winter

With freezing or near-freezing temperatures and winter weather across the county, it’s important to be smart with the energy your family uses around the house. Those cold days and nights often lead to higher energy and utility bills.

But with some small tweaks your home can be more energy efficient and those winter heating bills will look much more manageable. Then, think about reinvesting your savings back into your home with a Cook Portable Warehouse.

Extra storage right on your property is always a smart investment and with our flexible buying programs, you’ll be saving money there too!

So here are 5 tips to keep your home warm and toasty during the brutally cold winter months.

Focus on your windows

The first and easiest way to save money is to use the sun to heat your home during the days. Open the curtains, blinds or shutters on all south-facing windows and remember to close them at night to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Cover any drafty windows with a clear plastic sheet or film and make sure the corners are sealed tightly. Or add insulating drapes or window shades to maximize energy efficiency.

Adjust the temperature

Whenever you are home and awake, set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Remember bundling up with a warm sweater, heavy blanket or flannel sheets allows you to set a lower temperature and still stay comfortable. Use area rugs to keep your hardwood and tile floors insulated.

When you are asleep or not at home, turn your thermostat back 10-15 degrees. If you use this practice for an average of 8 hours per day, you can save around 10 percent of your energy costs, according to the Department of Energy. Purchasing a programmable thermostat can make this process much easier.

Also, think about closing off any rooms that aren’t being used or are used rarely like storage spaces. By directing heat to the places your family uses most often, you will make the most of your resources.

Use your ceiling fans

If your home is better ventilated and has a clearer air flow you will use less heat and still keep everyone warm! Set fans to rotate clockwise on a low setting to push warm air down and seal it into rooms during the winter.

Insulate and seal leaks

Caulk or add weatherstripping to seal any air leaks in the frame of doors and windows. It’s also important to seal leaks in gaps around your chimney, recessed lighting, pipes and any other unfinished spaces behind cabinets or closets.

Purchasing extra insulation and sealing gaps is an inexpensive and easy to do way to lower your bills and make your home more energy efficient.

Maintain your heating systems

If you have a furnace, replace the filter once a month or whenever it looks dirty. If you have a wood burning heater, clean the flue vent and the inside with a wire brush regularly.

It’s a smart practice to schedule regular service appointments with a professional to look over your heating system. Also, adding a humidifier adds moisture to the air which allows the space to hold heat better and you to set your thermostat at a lower temperature.

Looking for more ideas on how to keep your home energy bills lower? Keep checking our blog throughout January! And if you are looking for winter organizing tips, click to download our helpful download below!