LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – With the onset of winter, temperatures are dropping while heating bills rise. According to recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 56 percent of energy use in the average home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. Winterizing your home is an efficient and effective way to cut costs, but not the heat.
“Even though Florida winters are snow-free, low temperatures can throw you for a loop if you are not prepared,” said Ivan Smith, Corporate Director of Technical Trades at Florida Career College (FCC). “It is important that we take preventative measures to keep warm and remain energy-efficient throughout the cooler winter months.”
To prevent your money from escaping out of your windows, underneath your doors and through your electrical outlets this winter season, Florida Career College offers the following cost-cutting tips:
1. Regulate the temperature in your home. Installing programmable thermostats that automatically lower and raise the temperature saves up to 10 percent on heating bills.
2. Block air leaks by replacing or installing weather stripping around doors, windows and baseboards. Cracked or worn weather stripping allows heat to escape and may cause drafts. Replacing weather stripping annually could result in a 15 percent savings.
3. Insulate your home. Fiberglass insulation is easy to install. Purchasing insulation with an R-value between 30 and 49 to ensure proper protection from the elements can save consumers up to 10 percent on heating bills.
4. Reverse your ceiling fan. Change your ceiling fan setting to rotate clockwise to circulate warm air downward.
5. Wrap hot water pipes and water tanks with pre-cut blankets to trap heat. Available at local hardware stores, blankets used to trap heat can shave $40 off home heating bills.