As temperatures steadily decrease, many homeowners may begin to turn on their heating (if they haven’t already).

Any opportunity to save money is a win. With winter fast approaching, you may be wondering how you can save money on your home heating bill. The Good Hands advice team has prepared several life hacks that may help.

What Uses the Most Energy in my Home?

It’s no surprise that space heating occupies the majority of total energy consumption in an average Canadian household – approximately 63.6%. This is followed by water heating at 17.2%, appliances 14.1%, lighting 3.5%, and space cooling 1.6%.

While our team has provided tips on how you can lower your overall energy consumption here are some ways to save energy in winter.

Tips to Help Reduce Your Heating Bill  

1. Inspect your Furnace Filters. It’s recommended to have your furnace filters replaced or cleaned every 90 days. If there’s a build up of dust and debris in your filters, then your household may not feel the full warmth of the furnace, which can contribute to a higher heating bill.
2. Have your Furnace Serviced by a Professional. An HVAC specialist can help identify any risks for carbon monoxide leaks and inspect your furnace to ensure it is working efficiently. By having your furnace inspected by a professional, you also help avoid the risk of it breaking down when you need it most.
3. Improve your Home’s Insulation. There are many ways you can improve your home’s insulation. For an easy DIY project, use a caulk gun to seal any drafts that may come in through your windows or doors. For bigger projects, consider insulating your roof – since heat escapes your roof more quickly.
4. Curtains Can Go a Long Way. Believe it or not, curtains can do wonders to help maintain heat in the home. You can install thermal curtains to help prevent cold air from entering the windows to your home, or simply leaving your curtains open during the day to allow for the heat from the sun to enter.
5. Remove Obstructions From Your Heating Vent. It’s an easy thing to overlook, but ensure there isn’t anything blocking the hot air from the vents. Typical obstructions include rugs, furniture, or appliances.
6. Close off Unused Rooms. Heat travels from areas of higher temperature to areas with lower temperature. By ensuring the doors to unused rooms remain shut, this helps make the most-used rooms more comfortable.
7. Reverse Airflow. We often associate a ceiling fan with cooling the house, but if your fan has a reverse setting, take advantage of it. Flip the switch and feel the cold air move upwards and push warmer air (that’s risen to the ceiling) back down where it’s needed.
8. Put Down a Rug. Carpets and rugs can help keep rooms warm and take the chill off from under your feet. Add a rug or roll of carpet to your floor, and you’ll immediately feel the difference.
9. Use a Humidifier. You might be confused as to how a humidifier can help with heating cost. Well, a humidifier helps to keep the humidity in your home at a comfortable level. When the air is more humid, it feels warmer (thereby allowing you to turn down the temperature).
10. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. Speaking of temperature, it’s recommended to keep your home no lower than about 20 degrees Celsius. To maximize your energy efficiency, consider installing a smart thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home – so you don’t have to.

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