Eight ways homeowners can lower their monthly expenses by taking easy and inexpensive steps before the winter season. As the chill of winter sets in, these low- or no-cost steps will lower your monthly utility bills and protect your home from costly repairs. Let’s take a look at the most effective strategies for preparing your home for winter.
1. Reverse Ceiling Fans
Heat rises, reversing the direction of ceiling fans helps circulate warm air downward, improving overall heating efficiency throughout each room.
2. Garage Doors
Keep your garage doors closed as this reduces the cold air exposure to the interior walls. This will reduce the amount of electricity or gas used to heat the home.
3. Protect Pipes
Insulating exposed pipes, allowing faucets to drip during extremely cold nights, and installing covers on outdoor faucets are relatively easy measures. They prevent freezing and potential damage to your plumbing.
Insulation for pipes currently listed on Lowes for under $3
4. Insulate Windows and Doors
Weatherstripping, caulk, and thermal curtains are effective ways to seal gaps and add an extra insulation layer.
Weather Stripping for doors at Walmart is currently listed under $6.
5. Insulate Water Heater
Wrapping your water heater in an insulating blanket is straightforward and helps conserve heat. This will reduce how often your water heater turns on to heat the water inside the tank.
Water Heater Blanket on Amazon under $50 that fits most water heater from 20-60 gallons.
6. Programmable Thermostat
Have you ever experienced a drop in temperature from one room to the next and wondered why? Installing additional temperature sensors throughout the house will enhance energy efficiency by allowing precise temperature readings throughout the home instead of just the main room in which the Thermostat is located.
Programmable Thermostat under $55 at Lowes.com pricing is subject to change, and we have no affiliation.
7. Service Heating System
An HVAC winter service typically involves inspecting and maintaining your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to ensure peak performance during the colder months. The service aims to prevent breakdowns, improve energy efficiency, and ensure a safe and comfortable indoor environment by addressing potential issues and making necessary adjustments.
We have included a few local companies with great Google reviews and have no direct affiliation or sponsorship.
Limited Time Offer from Osage Heat & Air $79.99 Tune-Up
Limited Time Offer from Bud Anderson Heat & Air $ 69 Tune-Up
Kinty Jones Currently Offers Senior & Military Discounts
8. Check and Insulate Your Attic
Insulating the attic to prevent heat loss and ensuring proper ventilation involves a bit more work, but it significantly contributes to maintaining a warmer home during the winter. Some homeowners can complete this, and others may need to hire a contractor. We have included a list of utility companies that may cover this service at no cost to homeowners who may qualify.
Per the IECC International Energy Conservation Code, insulation with a R-38 value is recommended in the attic.
Remember, combining these efforts can result in substantial energy savings and increased comfort during the winter months. Additionally, NWALook compiled a list of utility companies in the area that might be able to ease your financial burden with winterizing. These companies may provide assistance through rebates &/or, in some cases, cover the costs entirely if you meet the necessary qualifications. Our goal is to ensure that you have access to support, making it easier for you to navigate the associated expenses.
Black Hills Energy:
Free Energy Assessment
https://energy-readyarkansas.com/programs-services-resources-homeowners.html
Black Hills Energy Rebates:
$300 for tankless water heaters
$400 for natural gas forced-air furnaces
$50 for ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostats
Southwestern Electric Power Company:
https://www.swepco.com/savings/home/money/rebates/
Ozark Electric:
https://www.ozarksecc.com/home-energy-solutions
Caroll Electric:
https://www.cecpower.coop/rebates-incentive-programs
https://www.carrollecc.com/energy-audits
Arkansas Weatherization Assistance Program
“The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is the nation’s largest residential energy efficiency program. Its mission is to insulate the dwellings of low-income persons (particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with a high energy burden) to conserve needed energy and to aid those persons least able to afford higher utility costs.”
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1843
We have no affiliation or sponsorship with the above companies and/or links posted. All third-party information is subject to change their rebates, pricing, and information without notice.
