4 ways to stop your energy bill from rising this winter

Did last year’s polar vortex create a spike your energy bills? When it comes to winter heating maintenance, prevention is the name of the game. Don’t get caught out in the cold this coming season. Avoid that problem this year by using these four helpful tips.

1. Replace your old water tank
The EcoSmart blog has already covered some ways in which your old water heater isn’t up to the task of efficiently warming your water during a brutal winter. To drive the point home further, consider the cost of upkeep that comes with an old-style heater. Extra strain on an old tank could cause it to malfunction, requiring you to call in a professional to look at it. House visits and replacements can be quite expensive.

2. Upgrade your system with a point-of-use electric water heater
As the weather outside gets colder, you might see a decrease in the temperature of your bathwater. According to the Department of Energy, the length of piping between your heater and faucet could potentially be a drain to your system’s energy efficiency. Point-of-use electric water heaters are a great way to conserve this energy and get steamy baths all through the winter. The units themselves are a lot easier on your budget as well. If you cannot afford to switch to a tankless heater this year, a point-of-use device might be just what you need.

3. Insulate your pipes
If you live in an older home, you might want to consider insulating your water pipes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any leaks or uninsulated segments of pipe could be wasting valuable energy. Because most old-fashioned heaters are located in the basement, they are very susceptible to this kind of heat loss. In the winter they must constantly struggle to maintain a high temperature while surrounded by cool or cold air. If insulation doesn’t help the problem, it might be time to go tankless.

4. Heating inspection
How long has it been since you’ve had your heating system checked out? Energy Star said that you should inspect all of your thermostat settings to find any possible irregularities in your heating system. Beyond that, you should clean and change all of your air filters before the start of the season.

Use these tips to save on your energy bill this winter. Just because it’s freezing outside doesn’t mean it can’t be toasty in your home.