Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Most Economic Way to Heat Your Home

As a homeowner, you're watching every penny that leaves your wallet. Between cable and insurance, gas and groceries, the cost of living seems to offer few breaks. When it comes to heating your home in the winter, you might consider piling up on blankets and thick socks rather than adjust the thermostat! Truthfully, there is no need to resort to drastic measures if you know how to economically heat your home. Here are a few suggestions to consider.

1) Shop around for the most affordable resource.

Depending on where you live, one way to heat your home may be cheaper than another. Oil heat, for example, may come at a premium, so you will want to research options for gas heat, electric, and even wood. The addition of a wood-burning stove in an oft-used part of the house may have merit if you are able to find the materials you need. Otherwise, you can consult with an HVAC professional on the best options for heating your home.

2) Invest in the right windows.

Thermal windows are helpful in the winter time, for they properly seal your home and prevent heat and air from leaking. If you find you are constantly having to turn up the heat, there could be a problem with your current windows. Installing thermal windows helps to insulate your house from the cold, and you won't need to fiddle with the thermostat as much.

3) Check your doors and roof as well.

Roofs are designed to ventilate and keep in the air you circulate in your home. If you suspect heat is leaking from your roof, it's best to have an inspection done to determine if repairs are necessary. As with your windows, you will want to invest in a strong door that works to trap in the warmth without letting it escape and in turn drive up your bills.

4) Close off unused rooms.

It isn't necessary to heat rooms you don't use. Keep the warmth relegated to the most populated parts of the house - the living room and the bedrooms in particular.

5) Insulate your floors.

If heat has a chance to escape, it certainly will. If you do not have insulated floors in unheated spaces, you risk losing heat. Research your insulation options so your bills don't skyrocket.

Properly heating your house involves more than making sure you have an HVAC unit or gas system set up. With the most economical heating option comes the responsibility of making sure the rest of your home keeps the heat where it needs to be, inside!

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC services and Williamsburg HVAC services.

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