Propane is typically cheaper than electric when it comes to heating your home, cooking, and more. By ordering propane in the summer, SmartTouch Energy notes that you can take advantage of lower off-season pricing.
Want to reduce those residential propane bills even more? There are many ways to do it.
A Smart Thermostat
Having a smart programmable thermostat can make a big dent in your heating costs, anywhere from five to 10 percent. When you’re away from home, you can adjust it down a few more degrees, with every degree below 70 Fahrenheit saving an estimated three percent. Even when you are home, considering setting the thermostat a bit lower and bundling up in a sweater for a more significant savings impact.
Use Energy Saving Curtains
Energy-efficient curtains serve a dual purpose by retaining heat during the winter and rejecting it in the summer, helping you to save on both heating and cooling bills. Hung onto a curtain rod, they are placed as close to your windows as possible, preventing air from escaping around the edges. Use magnetic tape to secure the curtains’ edges to the wall. You’ll be able to control how much sunlight can enter your home by adjusting them. When it’s cold out, you can open them to let natural light in and warm things up. Then, keep your home insulated more by keeping the windows covered when it’s dark.
Use Plastic Film to Cover the Windows
For even more dramatic savings, if you have an older home that often uses single-pane windows that don’t do a good job of keeping the heat in, consider using plastic film to cover them. Poor quality windows can lead to as much as a 25 percent heat loss. All you have to do is purchase a plastic wrap kit at your local home goods or hardware store and adhere it to your windows, using a hairdryer to help ensure it seals correctly. When done right, the transparent film is barely noticeable.
Block Door and Window Frame Leaks
It’s important to block any leaks, using door sweeps under exterior doors, caulking drafty spots around window frames, applying weatherstripping,or installing outlet gaskets in electrical outlets where cold air can enter. If your house already has weatherstripping, check to be sure that it hasn’t been torn or isn’t wearing out in any other way – signs of damage mean that it’s time to place it.
Keep the Fireplace Damper Closed and Seal the Chimney
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, warm air can leak out of the chimney even if the damper is closed. Not only should you get the damper closed, but you should seal the chimney with a chimney balloon. They’re available online, and all you have to do is blow it up and put it into the chimney. Of course, if you have a propane fireplace, you won’t have to worry about that. But make sure to install energy-efficient equipment for better results. In fact, as per nelsonpropane.com, you must contact a reliable service provider to stay relevant to the current standards.
Shut Off Rooms That Aren’t Being Used
It doesn’t make sense to heat spaces you aren’t using, so be sure to close the doors of rooms you don’t use often, like a spare room, storage room, etc.
