Sprague & Curtis Real Estate Blog
RSS Feed
Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
- 2026 | 8 Posts
- 2025 | 48 Posts
- 2024 | 48 Posts
- 2023 | 48 Posts
- 2022 | 48 Posts
- 2021 | 48 Posts
- 2020 | 51 Posts
- 2019 | 48 Posts
- 2018 | 29 Posts
Augusta, ME | 137 Posts
Buy a Home | 32 Posts
Gardiner, ME | 2 Posts
Hallowell, ME | 6 Posts
Home Safety | 1 Posts
Homeownership | 86 Posts
Kennebec Valley | 80 Posts
Lifestyle | 3 Posts
Manchester, ME | 1 Posts
Sell Your Home | 28 Posts
December
14
14
Cool Down Your Heating Bill With This Guide
As winter approaches, every homeowners' goal is to keep their home comfy and cozy warm while not spending too much money to do so. The good news is that by taking a few easy steps, you can ensure your home stays warmer while still reducing your energy bill.
Our real estate agents recommend the following tips for cooling down your heating bill this winter:
- Have your furnace serviced
Have your furnace professionally inspected and serviced once a year. This will ensure that any problems are addressed and your air filters are replaced to allow proper airflow. With proper care, your furnace will run more efficiently and last longer. - Close your chimney flue
When you're not using your fireplace, close your chimney flue. Leaving it open is just like leaving a window open since you'll let warm air escape your home while letting cold air in.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat
You'll have to spend some money upfront, but a programmable thermostat can help lower your winter heating bills (as well as your cooling bills in the summer) and quickly pay for itself. It allows you to adjust your home's temperature on a pre-determined schedule, so in the winter, you can lower it when you're asleep or when no one's home and raise it when you wake up or return home.
- Turn down the temperature on your water heater
Your water heater's thermostat may be programmed to 140 degrees, but it can function just fine and provide water that's plenty hot if you lower it to 120 degrees.
- Set your temperature a few degrees lower
By setting your thermostat's temperature a few degrees lower, you'll save money on your heating bill but probably won't notice much of any difference in comfort. This, combined with a smart thermostat, is a great way to save easily.
- Add caulk and weather stripping if needed
Light a candle and hold it near your doors and windows. If you see smoke moving horizontally, it means cold air is working its way inside your home and warm air is getting out. Buy and install weather stripping or caulk to help seal the leaks.
- Adjust your ceiling fan
You may be surprised that your ceiling fan can help keep you warmer in the winter, but it's true. Look for a switch at the base of your fan and flip it so the blades spin clockwise. Then your fan will push warm air, which rises, back down into the room.
- Let the sunshine in
Open your blinds or other window treatments when it's a sunny day. The sun shining in will warm your home – just don't forget to cover your windows again when the sun goes down.
- Uncover your vents
Check the vents in your home to make sure they're not covered by furniture or window treatments. If they are, remove these impediments since they interfere with the flow of warm air.
If you're looking for Augusta homes for sale, contact us at Sprague & Curtis Real Estate today. And if you're interested in saving money on your energy bills, we can make it a priority to show you homes that have energy-efficient features.