NJ Home Builder Tips: Save Money on Heating Bills This Winter

Winter, thanks to the lengthy holiday season, can be an expensive time of year for a lot of New Jersey families. Even keeping your home warm in the face of winter’s biting cold can send heating bills skyrocketing. In today’s edition of NJ Home Builder Tips, we’ll discuss ways to cut down on heating bills to make this winter season comfortable for you and your wallet.

Below are some helpful tips from Tom Madsen, your trusted NJ home builder, for saving some money on your heating bills this winter.

Lower Your Thermostat and Water Heater: You’re not always at home, so why keep the house toasty for the furniture? When you head to work in the morning or bundle up in your bed to sleep at night, turn the thermostat down a few degrees. You can shave around 3% off of your heating bill for every degree you drop.

It’s also a good idea to turn down the temperature on your water heater. By keeping it at a lower setting, around 115-120 degrees, you can lessen the heater’s impact on your bill without a noticeable difference to water users.

Stop Leaks: As discussed in our last blog, it’s important to thoroughly inspect your home’s windows and doors when winter rears its ugly head. You may be able to fix any gaps you find in window and door frames with rubber weather stripping. For more serious damage, however, window or door replacement may be your best option. The money you spend on replacing a faulty door or window will pale in comparison to the hefty heating bill caused by breaches in your home’s winter defenses.

Check Your Ducts: Inspect the ductwork that transfers warm air from your furnace to vents around the house. Make sure that all of your ducts are properly connected, or you may be losing most of that hot air before it even makes its way to the vents. Most ducts can be reconnected with tape, but if your ductwork is in dire need of repairs, entrust the job to a professional – and ensure the heated air you’re paying for makes it into the house.

Need help making sure your New Jersey home is ready for nature’s wrath this winter? Contact Tom Madsen today at (973) 875-9716. As a seasoned NJ home builder, we’ll be more than happy to put our expert skills to work for you.