Winter is just around the corner, colder temperatures are coming, and as most Northwest Arkansans know, the occasional below-freezing day will hit out of nowhere.
As the temperature drops, here are a few ways you can keep your heating bills from rising in the coming months:
- Service Your Furnace & Fireplace Now
A well-maintained furnace is crucial to keeping your home heated efficiently. When dust and debris build up over time, the system can get bogged down, causing it to work harder, use more energy, and raise your bill.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, that can save you a lot of money on your heating bill, but be sure you have it serviced and ready to go before you try to burn wood in it.
Be sure to schedule these services before the coldest weather hits and everyone else is trying to get their systems serviced, too!
Who we recommend:
- Godfrey & Black - Rogers
- NWA PYROPROS
- Seal Any Drafts and Add Insulation
Even small drafts can affect your home’s warmth, making your heating system work harder, and again, raise your energy bill.
Check for air leaks around windows, doors, gaps in your attic, or in any crawl spaces. Using caulking around window frames, weather stripping around doors, and adding insulation to your attic, walls, or basement are low-cost ways to make sure the heat in your home stays where it belongs.
- Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Managing your heating with a programmable or smart thermostat can cut down on unnecessary energy use, especially if you set it to automatically lower the temperature at night or when you’re away.
Studies have shown that lowering the thermostat by 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% on heating bills over the winter. Some smart thermostats even learn your habits and adjust automatically, optimizing for both comfort and savings.
A few we recommend:
- Use Your Ceiling Fans (Yes, Even in the Winter)
Did you know ceiling fans aren’t just used for cooling? (We didn’t either.)
If you set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed during the winter, it pushes warm air down, redistributing heat more evenly throughout the room.
This trick can make the room feel warmer, which means you can keep the thermostat a little lower, saving you a little money without sacrificing warmth and comfort.
- Rely on Natural Sunlight
Make the most of sunny winter days by opening blinds and curtains on south-facing windows. Natural sunlight provides free heat and can make a noticeable difference in the warmth of your home.
Just remember to close the blinds or curtains once the sun goes down to help insulate the windows against the cold night air!
- Invest in Energy-Efficient Curtains
Heavy, thermal-backed curtains can help keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside during freezing days and nights. By blocking drafts from windows, energy-efficient curtains act as a stylish, added layer of insulation.
But like we mentioned in the last section, consider closing them in the evening to trap heat and opening them during the day to let in sunlight.
Conclusion
With a few simple adjustments, homeowners in Northwest Arkansas can think proactively to keep our homes warm and comfortable this winter without breaking the bank. Reducing drafts, optimizing your thermostat, and maximizing natural heat sources can make all the difference!
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NWA Real Estate Market Update
Bentonville Library Improvements:
The Bentonville Public Library has expanded to 61,295 square feet, adding 22,795 square feet to better serve the growing community. New features include teen study rooms, a maker space, a 225-person meeting room, and dedicated children's and teen areas. The library also offers art displays, outdoor space, and modern amenities like a sensory room. The $16.75 million expansion was funded by public bonds and private donations. Further renovations, including a book club lounge, are set to open in January.
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