The fall season is upon us in Connecticut and it won’t be long before winter arrives. Enjoy the beautiful foliage and Indian summer days while you can because we all remember the ton of snow we got last year. Heating costs have increased a lot over the past few years and there is no reason to think that will change. If you like your Connecticut home to be toasty and warm when the weather is frigid and cold follow some helpful tips on how to conserve energy so you stay comfortable in the winter.
Do an Energy Audit – A good first step towards cutting down on heating costs is to find out how much energy you typically use. It’s hard to cut costs when you don’t know what the average is and with a home energy audit you will know how much you spend on heating and also what your neighbors spend. Once you have the facts you can then get started on making energy-saving improvements to your home.
Install a Programmable Thermostat – If you have a large family there are probably more than a few people adjusting the thermostat. Everyone has their own idea of what is comfortable and the more you toggle the temperature the more you spend. It may be hard for people to believe but indoor room temperature is between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is true in July and it is true in December. With a programmable thermostat you can set the temperature in your home and have it stay that way. You will also have the ability to adjust the settings when people are in the home and when it is unoccupied.
Inspect your Heating System – Assuming that everything will run smooth is not a good idea. Before the weather starts to change, have your heating system inspected by a professional to ensure it is functioning properly. Even if your system is new there is always a chance something can go wrong and with a thorough inspection you can identify any glitches and fix it before the snow falls.
