With the summer of 2015 a fading memory, the bracing air of autumn once again reminds us that the frosty days of winter are not far behind.

Instead of dreading the annual spike in your monthly bills as you attempt to stay warm without going broke, learn how to save money heating your home this winter by following a few simple tips…

 

Upgrade your windows

The best place to start when it comes to keeping your heating bills low is the weakest link in the chain when it comes to what stands between your home and the frigid outdoors – your windows.

If you want tighten up this line of defense against the cold, it helps to see what people in chillier parts of the globe use in their homes.

Edmonton windows are built to keep the nastiness of a Western Canadian winter out of your living space, as the well-sealed and multiple panes they contain are very effective when it comes to keeping the heated air inside your living space.

These types of windows can be found all over North America, whether you are looking into windows replacement in Edmonton, or in the suburbs of Chicago, so contact your local provider and speak with an expert about the windows that will best meet your needs.

 

Install thick insulation

While they are much thicker than your windows, there are many ways your walls can also leach heat during a cold winter.

Insufficient insulation can allow it to pass through like water goes through a spaghetti strainer, driving up your heating and furnace maintenance bills as your unit is forced to work much harder than it should.

By having a trained expert install fiberglass, foam or mineral insulation with a high R-value, you’ll ensure that most of the warm air your furnace produces remains where it belongs.

 

Turn the heat down when you are asleep or are not home

There is a notion out there that it takes more energy to continually re-heat a home than leaving it at a constant temperature all the time.

This has been proven to be a myth, so when you leave your house for work, or before you go to bed, turn the thermostat down a few degrees – there is no sense in keeping a house toasty warm when you aren’t around, or are sentient enough to enjoy it.

 

Turn the thermostat down a few degrees – even when you are home

You might balk at this suggestion, but humans are one of the most adaptable species on Earth. Turning down your thermostat when you are around – say from 72 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 20 degrees Celsius) won’t kill you.

Wear a sweater during the transition, and eventually you’ll find it too warm … except that by having shifted to the new normal, you’ll be paying less per month on your heating bills.