Reducing the amount of power required to keep a home comfortable translates directly into financial savings every month. Heating and cooling systems in the home use more energy than most other appliances. This can become very costly during hot summers and exceptionally cold winters. Fortunately, there are five changes homeowners can make to a house that will save money in this area.
Programmable Thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the easiest changes to make to a home. This type of thermostat makes it possible to program temperature changes for the heating and cooling system based on the time of day and the day of the week. Families can automatically turn the system off when no one is home or turn the heat down when it gets warm in the afternoon. A programmable thermostat will save a significant amount of money each year.Seal Cracks
Many homes have small cracks in the walls and around window frames or doors. These cracks allow air to escape from the house so that it costs more to heat and cool the home. It only takes a few minutes to go around the home with caulk, sealant or another material and seal the cracks. This will make the home more comfortable while lowering energy bills.New Window Treatments
The sun shining through windows in the summer can increase the temperature in a room by a noticeable amount. This forces the air conditioner to work hard to keep the house cool. One way to combat this is to use window treatments to block the sun. The latest styles in window coverings are attractive and help to keep the home cool during the summer while the sun is shining. They can even help at night in winter to block cold drafts.Ceiling Fans
Installing ceiling fans in the most used rooms of the house is a change that will save money. The fans help to move the air through the different rooms of the home during each season. Moving air lowers the perceived temperature of the air in the house during the summer. The fans also help to distribute heat in the winter. They use less electricity than heaters and air conditioners and save the family money.Plant Shrubs and Trees
Strategically planting shrubs and trees outside of the home can lower energy bills each season. Shrubs and bushes help to block or filter the sunlight so it does not heat the home in the summer. They also block cold winds so that there is less of a problem with drafts in the winter. This lowers heating and cooling costs.
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