5 Eco Friendly Winterization Tips

People end up wasting a lot of energy during the winter months in order to keep their houses warm and toasty. Fortunately with a few tips and tricks you can make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat. Implementing these tips will inevitably save energy without spending much money. In addition, by using these tricks this winter you may even qualify for a $1,500 tax credit.

Eco Friendly Winterization Tip #1: Avoid drafts.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that drafts can waste 5% to 30% of energy use. All it takes to dodge these drafts is a simple draft snake, which you can easily make yourself. Just place a rolled up towel under a draft door for instant draft protection. Or, you can get creative with old pieces of fabric and neck ties.

Eco Friendly Winterization Tip #2: Run fans in reverse.

Most people associate ceiling fans with cooling, however many fans come with a switch that reverses the direction of the blades. A counterclockwise rotation produces cool air while running it clockwise makes it warmer. When fans are run in reverse the air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space. This simple act can cut your heating costs by as much as 10%.

Eco Friendly Winterization Tip #3: Turn down your water heater.

Most conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by installers, but most households don't need that much steam. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees F can reduce your water costs by 6% to 10%. If you are considering purchasing a new water heater then look into tankless or solar heaters which can save you a lot of money year round.

Eco Friendly Winterization Tip #4: Keep an eye on the thermostat.

It's easy to forget to turn down the heat when you leave your home, but doing so can save you some serious dollars. Many households end up paying for 50 to 70% of their energy budget on heating and cooling that no one uses. The Daily Green calculates that for every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you'll save between 1 and 3% on your heating bill.

Eco Friendly Winterization Tip #5: Put on a sweater.

This may seem very simple and even border on ridiculous, but lounging around the house in your favorite sweater adds about 2 degrees in warmth. This is an easy way to cut energy costs because it keeps you from cranking up the heat in your home. Why pay dearly for something you can fix with a sweater?

This winter, instead of wasting so much money on heating, use some simple tricks to help the planet and keep your costs down. You'll immediately see the difference when you next energy bill comes around.

Sources:

The Daily Green - Home Improvements that Qualify for $1,500 Tax Credits

The Daily Green - Winter Weatherization Tips