The 10 best tips to keep your home warm this winter + 5 inexpensive changes.
We all know that this season's energy bills can be very high. But don't worry, we've got you covered with energy efficiency tips to keep your home warm and cozy this season.
And for those looking for a little something extra, we've included five inexpensive changes to reduce consumption in your home this winter.
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Statistics in Quebec concerning energy efficiency and residential energy saving:
In Quebec, we lose a lot of heat in our homes in winter. In fact, statistics show that we could save up to 20% on our energy bills if we took a few simple steps to prevent heat loss. The most common ways to prevent heat loss are to seal cracks and gaps around doors and windows, to insulate attics and walls, and to make sure our stove is properly maintained. By taking a few simple steps, we can make a big difference in the amount of energy we use and save money at the same time. Plus, we can protect our planet!
What are the do-it-yourself tricks for free or at little cost?
Most people are looking for ways to save money on their heating and electricity bills and there are plenty of ways to do it. In this article, we are going to discuss 10 tips and 5 cheap tricks do it yourself for free to save energy and money this season.
10 tips for saving energy and saving money this winter:
Turn on the fan:
Ceiling fans can help circulate heat around the room and make you feel warmer. Just be sure to adjust them clockwise so they push hot air downward.
Avoid exhaust fans:
Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can draw heat away from your home. Be sure to turn them off when not needed.
Adjust the heat throughout the day:
Home heating uses a lot of energy, but you can save electricity and money by turning the heat down when the family is away or needs it less. Hydro-Québec estimates that a 3°C drop in temperature at night or while you're away could reduce your electricity bill by 4 to 5% each month.
Let in the sun's rays:
During the day, open the curtains and blinds to let in the sun's rays. This will help warm the home and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Condemn unused parts:
If you have rooms in your home that aren't used or not used often, insulate the bottom of the door with broom style weatherstripping. This will prevent hot air from escaping and reduce the heating demand.
Laying a mat:
Wood floors can let heat through, but adding a large rug will add some insulation. In addition, your feet will stay warm.
Rearrange the arrangement of furniture:
Moving furniture away from a radiator lets more heat into the room. It is also best to position yourself well in the room, away from windows and doors where cold air infiltrates.
Use a humidifier:
Dry air can make you cold. Using a humidifier can therefore help. Just be sure to keep it clean to prevent mildew and mild odors from forming.
Check the plumbing system:
Pipes can burst when the water freezes. Be sure to check all the pipes in the house, especially the hot water pipes if they are exposed to the cold. You can insulate them with an insulating foam sheath.
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Inexpensive tips to save even more money on our energy bill?
No need to spend a lot of money on equipment to reduce energy consumption and save on electricity bill. In fact, there are many inexpensive do-it-yourself things that will help reduce the amount of energy used. Here are five tips:
5 tricks you can do yourself on the cheap:
Use or replace weatherstripping:
Draft blockers (wind or weather stripping) are an easy and inexpensive way to block drafts around doors and windows. Use weather stripping and rubber insulation on doors and windows to block drafts. Plus, it's cheaper than buying new doors and windows.
Buy a programmable thermostat:
A programmable thermostat will save you money by automatically turning the heat down when you're away and turning it up when you're there. By doing so, you can reduce your heating costs by 10-15%.
Insulate electrical outlets and switch plates:
Outlets and switch plates on a wall with contact to the exterior are often overlooked when it comes to insulation, but they can be major sources of drafts. You can buy electrical outlet insulating gaskets.
Replace the shower head to reduce your demand for hot water:
Old shower heads can leak a lot of hot water. Replacing them with low-flow showerheads saves money.
Check the ventilation dampers in the bathroom and the kitchen extractor:
Check bathroom vents and kitchen exhaust valves to make sure they aren't leaking heat. You can check this by holding a tissue against the air vent to see if there are any leaks. If so, the seal or gasket should be replaced. By sealing these leaks, you keep the heat in the home.
SO! Do you think you can make some savings this winter?
Energy savings are important for the wallet, comfort and the environment. By following our advice, you start to save money on the electricity bill while helping to reduce the carbon footprint.
If you are short on time, Brother-in-law for rent is here to help.
Your brother-in-law is a great resource to help you in your war on electricity costs! He can make sure your home is well insulated. It's also a good ally when it comes to weather stripping and caulking, it's handy to have a brother-in-law in the neighborhood, isn't it?
