When you own your own home, the last thing you want is for it to consume more energy than it needs to. Unfortunately, many properties are poorly insulated and/or have old heating systems that are inefficient. If you live in an older home and are concerned about high energy bills or want to make a larger investment in your home, you may want to consider making some changes in an effort to reduce your energy consumption. Making your home more energy efficient will help lower your energy bills and reduce the amount of money you spend on heating; however, it is important to note that the added cost of heating is often recovered in a couple of years when your savings on utility bills more than compensate you for these changes. Here are some things you can do to make your home more efficient when it comes to heating:

One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your energy consumption and make your home more energy efficient is to install a programmable thermostat. This is a small device that is installed on your wall near the thermostat. Using a programmable thermostat is the easiest way to program your heating and cooling to run when energy usage is at its lowest. By using a programmable thermostat, you can program your heating and cooling to run when you’re at work, when you’re sleeping, and when you’re away at other times. This way, you’re not turning the heating or cooling on unnecessarily. As an added bonus, these devices can be programmed to change the temperature during specific days of the year.

If your home has an older roof or an attic without insulation, it’s important to add as much insulation as possible. If you can, spray-on insulation is one of the easiest ways to increase the thermal efficiency of your home, which will lead to lower heating bills. The National Energy Board recommends the use of R-30 insulation in attics. When adding new roofing or siding or installing insulation in the attic, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Dirt, dust, and debris can build up in the ductwork over time, which can reduce the amount of air that can flow through your ductwork and into your home. This can cause your HVAC system to work harder and consume more energy. To clean the ductwork effectively, you can use a vacuum with a brush or metal cleaning tool. If your ductwork is made from plastic or PVC, you can also use a scouring pad to remove dirt and debris. After cleaning the ductwork, be sure to reseal it to help prevent more dirt and debris from entering the system.

If you live in a cold climate and your home is heated with oil or gas, you may want to consider adding a ground-source heat pump. Ground-source heat pumps use the earth as a heat source and can provide a steady source of heat to your home. They are more energy efficient than oil or gas heating. If you’re considering installing a new heating system, you may want to consider installing a ground-source heat pump.

If your home is less than 15 years old and you’re concerned about high heating bills, you may want to consider installing a new heating system. Newer heating systems are more efficient and can help you reduce your energy bills. If you’re considering installing a new heating system, be sure to consider the following: Size of the home - You should consider the size of the home when installing a new heating system. If your home is too small, the heating system will be inefficient and may not be able to heat the home efficiently. If your home is too large, you may not be able to use all of the heating system’s capacity. Make sure to take the size of your home into account. Type of heating system - You should choose the right type of heating system to ensure that you can lower your energy consumption. For example, you may want to consider a geothermic or solar-powered heating system. Location of the heating system - You should consider where your heating system will be installed. For example, if you live in a cold climate and you want to reduce your heating costs, you may want to consider installing a ground-source heat pump.

When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, there are many things you can do. You can install a programmable thermostat, add insulation, clean the ductwork, add a ground-source heat pump, and install a new heating system. If you live in an older home, you may want to consider making some changes in an effort to reduce your energy consumption. Doing so will help lower your energy bills and reduce the amount of money you spend on heating.