Tips To Reduce Your Home Heating Bill

Winter's here and it's time to turn up the heat! Some Canadians are looking forward to skiing, snowmobiling and winter sports. However, the one thing that no one is looking forward to is getting their home heating bill. The cost of heating a home during the winter months has increased dramatically in recent years. The good news is there are some cost saving measures that you can take that will help you turn on the heat without having to see your dollars fly out the door.

It's always a good idea to have a professional inspection done of your furnace each year. Your furnace will work safely and much more efficiently if it's in top condition and that means you'll spend less on gas or oil to fuel it. An inspection will ensure that pilots and vents are unobstructed, worn out filters are replaced, and blowers and coils are unobstructed. Your investment in the furnace inspection will be offset by all the energy you'll save over the long winter season.

If you have forced air heating, you might also want to invest in a duct cleaning. Since your windows and doors will usually be closed, it's the perfect time to clear out the dust, pollen and other allergens that have built up in your home over the summer. Clean vents will also contribute to your furnace running cost-efficiently.

If you want to save even more on your home heating bill this winter, consider a programmable thermostat. This device lets you pre-set the temperatures for different times of day. You can enter the time and temperature to automatically set the thermostat back by a few degrees overnight and bring the temperature back to a comfortable level again before you get up. Many energy companies are offering discounts on such energy saving devices, so be sure to check out your local gas or hydro company's website for even greater savings.

You can use a similar principal whenever you leave the house. Simply turning down your thermostat by two degrees when you go out and returning the temperature to normal levels when you come back home can really make a difference. Even simple measures like this can add up to less energy used - and that's good for both the environment and your pocketbook!

Wood burning fireplaces are also a common culprit for heat loss. Although they can throw a lot of heat when they're burning bright, a dying fire opens the chimney shaft to cold air falling in while the last embers die. Fireplace openings should at least be covered by glass doors that can be closed to eliminate drafts. The optimum solution is a fireplace insert that will help keep your home toasty warm, without letting draughts and cold air back in. A fireplace insert will also add to your home's appeal when the time comes to sell. Your Coldwell Banker professional can give you expert advice on what home heating solutions will add to the resale value of your home. Why not call to find out more?

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