Year-Round Energy Efficiency

No one wants to walk around his or her own home bundled up in a snowsuit to stay warm. With heating and cooling costs accounting for nearly 56 percent of the energy used within a home, finding ways to make a home more energy efficient can go a long way toward saving money. Steps can be taken to make a home more energy efficient throughout the year in a few simple ways.

First, the sun's heat can be collected and stored within the structure and furnishings of a home by simply leaving the curtains and drapes in any south facing windows open during the day and closing all window treatments at night. As the sunlight enters your windows, the walls, floor and furnishings within the home will absorb its heat, and when the night temperature drops outside, this heat is released into the rooms of your home, reducing the need for supplemental heat.

Second, keep the thermostat at the lowest possible temperature to help save money on heating bills. If a home is equipped with a programmable thermostat, set it to maintain a cooler temperature while no one is at home or while everyone is asleep. This action alone has been shown to decrease a heating bill by 10 percent.

Third, there is no sense heating a home if the warm air can leak out through door and window cracks. Caulking and weather-stripping are inexpensive and simple ways to increase a home's energy efficiency without requiring the services of a contractor. Homeowners should also check the insulation in attics, basements and crawl spaces. Efficient airflow within a heating system is also crucial to saving money on a heating bill, which is why replacing a furnace or heat systems filters regularly can make a big difference.

Once homeowners have ensured their homes are well insulated, leak proof and efficiently heating the area, adding an electric fireplace can be an inexpensive and attractive feature within the home as well. With the few steps provided, practicing zone heating will come as second nature as well.