Sure-fire ways to save on heating bills

"It's getting cold out in most regions of the United States. That means it's time to turn on the heat.

 

This fall and winter you should try staying warm without also having a hot energy bill.

Excuse the pun, but there are some sure-fire ways you can save energy while maintaining your comfort, no matter how old your home is.

The average American household spends over $500 a year on heating, but this doesn't have to be the case. By paying attention to your building's envelope, your heating system, and your behavior, you'll be well on your way to saving dollars and carbon.

Sealing the envelope

Your home's envelope (the walls, windows, doors, foundation, roof, attic, etc.) matters a lot when it comes to heating.

Leaky envelopes mean cold outside air can easily seep inside and hot inside air can seep outside. Warming this inflow of cold air can account for 25 to 40 percent of the load on your heating system.

To improve your envelope, try: