Maintaining a warm, comfortable home while managing heating costs can be challenging for seniors. Simple strategies can help reduce energy expenses without compromising comfort, ensuring a cozy winter season.
Seal Windows and Doors
One of the simplest ways to keep your home warm is to ensure good seals around windows and doors. Poor seals can allow cold air to enter, making your heating system work harder.
Start by checking your windows and doors for drafts. You can do this by holding a candle near the edges and watching for flickering. If you find drafts, there are several products you can use to get a better seal, including leather stripping, caulk, and draft stoppers. Each of these items can be easily found in local hardware stores, and they're all user-friendly.
Insulate Your Home
Insulation helps maintain heat inside your home. Without enough insulation, you can lose a lot of heat through the attic, walls, and other areas. Begin by checking the insulation levels in your attic. You should have at least 12 to 15 inches of insulation. Other areas to consider include walls, basements, and crawl spaces. If you're unsure how to check insulation levels, consider hiring a professional to do an energy audit.
Dress in Layers
Relying solely on your heating system is not always necessary. Dressing in layers can help keep you warm and reduce the need to crank up the thermostat. Layers trap body heat and provide better insulation than a single heavy garment. Wear thermal underwear, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, cardigans, warm socks, and slippers. By dressing warmly, you might find that you can keep your thermostat set a few degrees lower.
Service Your Furnace
A well-maintained furnace uses less energy and is less likely to break down. A typical furnace service includes cleaning the furnace and vents, checking the thermostat, and inspecting and replacing filters. To find a reliable service provider, ask for recommendations from friends or look up reviews online.
Use Space Heaters Wisely
When used correctly, space heaters can be a good supplementary heat source. They are particularly useful in smaller rooms or for individuals who spend most of their time in a single space.
When using space heaters, keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable, never leave them unattended, and use heaters with safety features like overheat protection and tip-over switches. Energy-efficient options are available and can be cost-effective when used carefully.
Optimize Thermostat Settings
Setting your thermostat to the right temperature can save you money. For winter, a setting of 68°F while you're home and awake is recommended. Lower it while you're asleep or away. A programmable thermostat can make this easier. You can set it to automatically lower the temperature at night and raise it in the morning. This reduces the need for manual adjustments and optimizes your heating usage.
Contact Senior Helpers for Support This Winter
Keeping your home warm and heating bills low in the winter is entirely possible with a few strategic steps. In summary, seal your windows and doors, insulate your home properly, dress in layers, service your furnace, use space heaters wisely, optimize your thermostat settings, and take advantage of natural heat.
Implementing these tips will help you stay comfortable throughout the winter months. For additional support, contact us at Senior Helpers Naperville. We are here to assist seniors and their families in Naperville, Aurora, Oak Park, Cook County, and Willowbrook. Stay warm and safe this winter season!