4 Ways to Stay Green this Winter
While the weather might stay beautiful and sunny all year round in California, as the fall turns to winter the evenings cool down and some less dramatic changes to the weather to take place. Even though you might not be facing a blizzard, odds are these changes will have some sort of impact on your home. Are you prepared? Is your home ready to face the cooler temperatures? Here are 4 ways that you can heat up your home (and your family) this winter while still saving both your money and the environment.
Do Not Underestimate the Importance of Insulation
I cannot stress the importance of invest in cost-effective insulation. Block small gaps and cracks with rope caulk or spray foam to prevent drafts, and close up the flue damper whenever you are not cuddling up next to a roaring fireplace. Keep in mind that it is critical to creating a tight seal around any and all vulnerable doors and windows with self-adhesive backing. Keeping heat sealed in your home prevents additional adjustments to the thermostat. By doing these things you can an average of about $200 every year.
Really Think About Your Water Consumption
I know, water consumption is a pretty constant factor in Southern California, but unlike the 365 concerns, as the temperature dips, the odds of losing energy through your water heater’s walls greatly rise. How can you stop this loss of excess energy you might ask? Try throwing an insulating jacket on over it! You may be able to cut heat loss by half!
Pro Tip: If you don’t need scalding hot showers, change the water temperature to a setting of 120°F during weekdays to keep your bills and energy waste down all season.
Keep an Eye on That Dial
If your house still has an outdated thermostat, I have some bad news for you – older thermostats do not have the personalized capabilities of the modern models of today. Install a modern version, and with the tap of a few buttons, you can program your thermostat to turn off while you are not home. WiFi-enabled thermostats even allow you to schedule times to increase the heat up with a few swipes. Thoughtful adjustments like this could help you save up to about 15% on your energy bill each month.
Let the Sun Shine In
Shorter days and brisk winds may make you shiver, but that does not stop the sun. Adhere reflective window film and the sun’s rays may bounce heat back into your homes, reducing the need to crank up the thermostat. Need an extra cover to keep your family warm? Pick up some cellular shades to insulate windows from the brisk cold.
Do not wait until you find that you are experiencing a huge loss of money or heat to make these changes. Begin making these changes today in order to prepare both your home and your wallet for the change in season and drop in temperature.