The Gord Piper & Associates Real Estate Blog

Winter is starting its slow creep back into our lives. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder, and forecasters are predicting a chilly, stormy winter.

As you prepare to crank up the fireplace, put heavy blankets on your
bed, and take your sweaters out of storage, consider preparing your home as
well. Many homeowners are taken by surprise every year when they receive that
first big heating bill, but there are lots of easy ways to get your home ready
for Old Man Winter.

Give your furnace some TLC.

Many homeowners don’t know that a furnace needs to be serviced once a year.  A technician will inspect your furnace, clean the burners, and make sure that it’s working as efficiently
as possible. Also, don’t forget to change your filter every one to three months, depending on how much you use it. When your filter is dirty, your furnace has to work harder to heat your home. Furnace filters are inexpensive and easy to install.

Install a programmable thermostat.

For between $50 and $200, a programmable thermostat can save you every month on
your heating bill. Programmable thermostats allow you to set schedules for
increasing or lowering temperatures. For example, instead of heating your home
all day while you’re at work, you can set the thermostat to come on 15 minutes
before you come home. Also, a programmable thermostat can be set to lower the
temperature at night or while you’re on vacation.  Programmable thermostats are available at any Home Depot, Revy or even Canadian Tire and are simple to install.

Only heat the rooms you use.

Do you have a guest room or office that is rarely used? Close the vent or turn off the baseboard
heater and shut the door. There’s no reason to heat a room that nobody is
using. Have a gas fireplace in the living room? If you spend your evenings in
the living room, turn off your furnace and use only the fireplace to heat the
room.

Check for drafts.

Windows and doors can let lots of heat out. Add kasino iden vertailu voi olla aloittelevalle pelaajalle hankalaa ja sopivan ensikasinon valitseminen uuvuttavaa. inexpensive weather-stripping around doors and window seals to keep heat in. Consider upgrading insulation or replacing single-pane
windows in older homes.

Ask the experts.

Your local utility company offers energy audits. Check their website for dates and times
they’ll be in your neighborhood. If your utility provider doesn’t offer this
service, many not-for-profit organizations or government entities do. An auditor
will visit your home and make recommendations for energy-saving improvements of
all types.

Rebates – Save even more money!

If you decide to make major improvements to your home this winter, check for
rebates. Local, Provincial,  and federal governments often offer tax breaks or
rebates for energy-saving upgrades, as do many utility companies. Research
offers online, at your local hardware store, or with the contractor who will be
doing the work.

Implementing these changes to your home is not only good for the environment, but you’ll also end the winter with more money in your pocket.