Heating costs are on the rise and show no sign of decreasing. It is becoming more and more expensive to provide heat in your home during the months in which you need it the most. Many people fear the coming cold season because of the uncertainty of whether they will be able to afford keep their house warm. Those who heat with oil and natural gas know that the costs of resources seem to increase every year. Electricity rates are also sky-high and constantly climbing. Many people turn to alternative methods of heating during the colder season in an effort to combat the high cost of heating fuel, but there are some important things to consider before taking a potentially hazardous measure.
If you use kerosene burners or heaters to keep your certain areas of your home warm, you need to be aware of the dangers they can cause and the great risk of fire you may face if they are used improperly. Space heaters can be a great addition to your home's heating system, but you must take proper precautions to ensure your safety. Not only do you face the risk of fire, but also potential carbon monoxide poisoning and burns to the skin if you come in contact with a working unit.
Other ways to cut down on your heating costs is by making the initial investment in your home's insulation. While weatherproofing and insulating your home may seem like an expensive project, the savings you will experience on your home heating bills will quickly surpass the expense of making sure your house is shielded from the cold. Check for drafts at windows and doors and make sure that you block the cold air from coming in and the warm air from escaping. You can use towels around the cracks in windows and doors to help keep the cold air out of your house.
You will also want to be sure that you have proper insulation around your water pipes. By doing this, your water pipes will be able to retain hot water without using excess energy. Also, it prevents freezing and bursting, causing very expensive damage to the area surrounding the pipe and a gigantic pain to clean up. Properly insulating your pipes can save you up to 25% on your utility bills - a savings that you'll notice immediately.
Be sure to have your furnace inspected by your heating and cooling company at least once per year, usually during the fall before the cold weather sets in. A professional can make sure your furnace is free of dirt and grime and will maximize the output of your system while making sure it is running at its highest energy efficiency. Without cleaning or inspecting your system, you risk it running extra hard in order to maintain a certain temperature. The harder it runs, the more energy it burns, and the more money it ends up costing you in the end. The cost of keeping your furnace maintained is well worth the initial investment rather than the extra cost you'll have on your utility bills.
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