How To Cut Down On Your Electric Heating Bill

As fall turns into winter, you may find yourself turning the heat in your home up a little more each day. While the high heat usage will keep you nice and warm, it can wreak havoc on your energy bill. While you may not be able to have the heat as high as you'd like it if you're trying to bring down your big bill, you won't have to freeze.

The good news is that by making a few adjustments in your home, you can cut your heating bill. To save the most money, it's best to make the preparations before the fall and winter chill sets in. Following are some things you can do to keep more heat in your house and money in your pocket.

1. Replace Weatherstripping as Needed

If the weatherstripping around your home's doors and windows is worn out, torn or ripped, the costly electric heat can slip right out through the cracks, leaving you cold inside. Instead of literally throwing heat and money out the window, replace the weatherstripping as needed, which is typically every few years. 

To save even more money, you can do this home repair yourself by pulling the worn weatherstripping off and sticking on the new one.

2. Fill Any Holes in Exterior Walls

Take a walk around the outside of your home, looking for any small holes or gaps that heat can leak out of, such as around water pipes and gas lines. Fill the open areas with a bit of expanding foam, which you can buy at a DIY retailer.

3. Supplement with Portable Heaters 

Rather that cranking the heat up in cooler areas of your home, buy a few portable heaters instead. These units use a lot less kilowatts per hour, which will help reduce your bill.

You can use the portable heaters strategically as well. For instance, lower your heat at night, place a space heater in your bedroom, and close the door to trap the warmth in. Use this technique in your office, or whatever room you spend the most time in, during the day as well.

4. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

If you don't already have a programmable thermostat in your house, install one before next winter. Doing so will allow you to keep the heat low anytime you're not home. You can even program some models to turn up the heat before you're due to arrive home. 

For more information, contact a company like Biggerstaff Plumbing Heating & Air.