Maintain your home’s winter energy efficiency

Happy December! While the actual start of winter is not for another few weeks, turning the calendar page to this month marks the unofficial kickoff to the season. During these months, keeping your house warm and cozy is essential. After all, we are no stranger to freezing temperatures and winter storms here in Canada. However, many home owners find it very expensive to winterize their homes without their utility bills skyrocketing. Is there a way to do this while keeping energy efficiency in mind? This will keep your utility bills lower while also helping the environment. Here are some tips to help you maintain winter energy efficiency!

Invest in quality comfort

We will start with the most basic and simple solution, which is to optimize your ”energy-free” heating. We are of course talking about things like your bedding, blankets, and sleepwear. When the nights get chilly, our first instinct is to crank up the heat. While a good heating system is essential, it can also result in high usage costs. It’s well worth it to invest in high-quality comforters and blankets that will keep you warm throughout the night, so you don’t have to absorb the high fees associated with winter energy usage. It’s also a good idea to get some warm pyjamas for added comfort. Look for thick materials that will trap heat! People often opt for fleece, wool, or cashmere to keep themselves bundled up. Wrapping yourself in natural warmth will limit the need to keep the heat on full blast!

Seal cracks and gaps

The best way to begin the work of turning your home into an energy efficient house this winter is by looking for gaps or cracks near doors and windows. One of the top ways to overwhelm a heating system and raise your energy bill is having windows or doors with drafts. These let warm air escape, forcing your heater to work overtime. Not only does this take a toll on your heating system over time, but it will also make a dent in your bank account.  Take some time to examine the windows and doors in your home and look for any cracks. You can easily seal these off with caulking, a simple but effective way to keep the warmth in your home and your energy bills low. This is a task many home owners can complete themselves, but you can also hire a professional if you aren’t quite confident enough in your DIY abilities! 

Inspect your heating system

Before the cold weather sets in, it’s a good idea to perform an inspection of your heating system. Since this is the power that keeps your home warm during the winter, it also uses a lot of energy. You want to make sure it is working properly so it’s not burning energy unnecessarily. If your system is old or in need of a replacement, it’s best to take care of this now, before it becomes an emergency in the dead of winter! Many new heating systems run with energy efficiency top of mind. They can come with the ability to schedule when you want the heat to turn on or off, and automatically adjust temperatures to accommodate your preferences. This means you won’t have to worry about manually adjusting your thermostat, or forgetting to turn the heat down when you’re away!

Take advantage of natural heat

Even in the winter, the sun comes out once in a while, and while it might be chilly outside, it’s still scorching hot up there! On sunny days, consider leaving your blinds open and letting some light in. This will help naturally warm your home without having to pay extra on energy bills. At night, you can close those curtains to trap the warm air you welcomed in throughout the day. These are simple and free ways to take advantage of natural light and warmth, and use them to keep your bills on the lower side!

Winter may be chilly, but your home certainly doesn’t have to be! Taking a few simple steps can make a big difference in helping your home run efficiently in the coming months without sacrificing your comfort. Enjoy the start of the winter season knowing you are saving money and effort on energy bills in your home!

If you have any questions about your mortgage, get in touch with us at Clinton Wilkins Mortgage Team! You can call us at (902) 482-2770 or contact us here.