Buffalo winters are cold. They’re also long, which means they can take a toll on both your body and your wallet. Your heating bill will always be higher in the winter months, but there are ways to keep it under control.
Use sunlight to your advantage
On those rare winter days when the sun peeks through the clouds, be sure to take advantage of it. Open your south-facing window curtains during the day in order to let the sunlight naturally warm your home. Just be sure to close them once the sun goes down, or else all that natural heating will quickly go to waste.
Seal up your windows
Your windows are the among the best spots for warm air to escape your home and cold air to come in. As such, you’ll want to seal them up by using plastic sheets to cover them and caulk or weather-stripping around the edges. If you’re still discovering air leaks, then it may be time to replace your windows entirely.
Check on your insulation
Insulation is like an extra layer of padding around your home. In the winter, it can prevent the freezing ground from making your home colder than it has to be. This is because insulation prevents heat transfer, which is the process of heat traveling from one place to the next. If you don’t have the necessary insulation for your home, then, cold air will come into your home and warm air will escape.
Keep the fireplace damper closed
If you have a fireplace, then keep its damper closed when it’s not in use. If you’re the type who never uses the fireplace and prefers it as decoration, then go ahead and plug and seal the chimney flue. This will prevent your home’s heat from escaping up and out of its chimney.
At Ivy Lea Construction, we can find ways to keep your home warm and cozy this winter season. Give us a call at 716-875-8654 to learn more.
