Mamabee

Cost-Effective Springtime Heating Solutions

With wintertime gradually winding down, many of us are feeling the chill not only outdoors, but inside our homes, as well. Although the arrival of spring often portents warmer temps, the change is far from immediate, and many parts of the country will continue to receive cold weather – and even snowfall – well into springtime. While we all desire to keep our homesteads as warm and toasty as possible, we also want to keep our personal finances intact. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. As you’ll find, a little bit of forward thinking and a few changes can go a long way to providing the warmth you seek without leaving a hole in your bank account.

Have Your Central Heating Unit Serviced

To operate at peak efficiency, most furnaces and central heating units need to be serviced at least once a year. Even if there’s nothing outwardly wrong with your central heating unit, having it inspected and serviced by an experienced pro will help nip a variety of potential issues in the bud. (Additionally, if there is something outwardly wrong with the device, make sure to have the problem addressed posthaste.) The right person for the job will be able to identify, diagnose and repair a host of problems in a timely and professional manner. So, if you’re interested in finding a dependable heating and cooling pro in your area, simply go online and search for “HVAC companies near me”.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows

If you’ve been wondering how so much warm air is able to escape from your home, your windows may be the culprit. Traditional single-paned windows generally aren’t up to the task of sealing in warm air and keeping cold air outside. Sure, they’ll do an adequate job of keeping outdoor air at bay, but when trying to heat a home on a budget, “adequate” isn’t going to cut it. With this in mind, consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows. Per the name, these windows are well-equipped to prevent indoor air from escaping and outdoor air from entering. Since energy-efficient windows contain multiple panels, they offer a much higher degree of protection from the elements than their single-paned counterparts.

When shopping around for energy-efficient windows, you’re bound to notice that they cost a little more than standard windows. While there’s no denying that they come with a higher price tag, the money they’ll save you in the long run should more than make up for the short-term expense.   

Utilize Thermal Curtains

In addition to upgrading your windows, you should look into getting new curtains. Not only do the right curtains have the power to add flair to any area of your home, they can also help reduce energy costs. Case in point: thermal curtains. As the name implies, these curtains are made from heavier materials than standard curtains and are designed with heat retention in mind. Additionally, thermal curtains are highly adept at blocking out sunlight, so if any areas of your home are plagued by excessive brightness during the daytime hours, these curtains are sure to come in handy. Best of all, thermal curtains are affordable on even the tightest heating budget.

Attic Insulation

A well-insulated attic can help save you a bundle on home heating costs. Good insulation effectively prevents outside air from entering and inside air from escaping. So, if your attic insulation is in need of an upgrade, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a seasoned professional. A meticulously insulated attic can decrease your heating costs for the foreseeable future and help your home maintain comfortable temps. As an added bonus, insulation will also help keep your home nice and cool throughout the swelteringly hot summer months. 

attic insulation

As any longtime homeowner can attest, keeping a house consistently warm can be a considerable drain on one’s finances. While most people expect to pay a bundle in heating costs throughout the winter months, having cold weather drag into the spring season can be financially strenuous. Still, if you live in an area where spring is essentially a toned-down extension of winter, the onset of springtime doesn’t necessarily mean the end of exorbitant heating bills. To help relieve yourself of some of the financial burden, put the heating solutions discussed above to good use.