Winter is making its way to Collingwood and that means snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are almost here. It also means that your Collingwood home’s energy bill may increase each month. Luckily, there are several things you can do to improve your home’s energy efficiency without spending a fortune. Here are four of them. 

1. Check Your Home’s Seals

A fast and simple way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to spend an afternoon inspecting and repairing all of the seals around the windows and doors in your home. You want to look for any problem areas such as holes or gaps where hot air could escape from your house. If you find any problems, simply replace the seals with new caulk. For doors, replace the weather stripping in the door frame. 

2. Monitor Your Home’s Temperature

One of the best and most effective ways to reduce your home’s energy bill is to lower the heat. Turning down the thermostat in your home by just a few degrees can make a difference in your monthly bill. 

Consider installing a programmable thermostat, which will give you even more control over the temperature in your home. You can reduce the temperature when you are away for the day and when you are sleeping at night. Some smart thermostats will work with your smartphone so you can adjust your home’s heat even when hundreds of miles away. 

3. Close Unused Areas of Your Home

There is no reason you should spend money heating areas in your home that are not being used. By closing doors and partially shutting vents to these areas of your home, you can save a considerable amount of money and will give your heating system a break. For example, if you have a guest room that isn’t used often, a storage room, etc. close the doors and the window treatments. It is best that you partially close the vents in these unused spaces so you still have some air flow. 

4. Be Mindful of Where Your Furniture is Placed

If you have floor vents throughout your Collingwood home, where you place your furniture is critical. If you have items placed over your vents, it blocks the air flow into your rooms, and your heating system will have to work harder and you will likely be colder. By clearing these areas, you will enjoy better air circulation and a warmer home. Make sure you know where all the vents are throughout your home and rearrange any furniture that may be covering or blocking them. 

As these cold Collingwood temperatures approach, there are several things you can do to cut down your monthly energy bill. The above four are simple and inexpensive ways to start.