As the temperature starts to drop, you likely notice that your energy bill starts to go up. This rise in cost is likely because you have areas of your home that allow the cold in and the heat out. Here are some ways you can keep your house warm and your bill down all winter. 

Replace the Weather Stripping

Over time weather stripping can get pulled away or start to wear out. When this happens, the warm air in your home is quickly released. Even a tiny gap in your door frame can let a tremendous amount of heat out of your home. If you notice that you can see light coming through the gaps around windows and doors, then you need to replace the weather stripping.

Make sure you choose something appropriate for the space. If you have a large gap in your door frame, you’ll want to go for a thicker material, such as tubular rubber or vinyl, that seals the space completely. Also, if you have the option, secure the weather stripping with nails to prevent it from easily pulling loose. 

Update the Insulation

Most houses rely on fiberglass insulation because of how affordable it is. However, it isn’t very durable, and it usually needs to be replaced every 10-15 years. If you haven’t replaced your insulation in a long time, that could be why your home feels cold. 

You can check your insulation levels by simply looking at the insulation. If you can see any part of the floor joists, then you need new insulation. If your insulation is so full and thick that you can’t see any bit of the wood, then it’s still at a good level. 

Close the Fireplace Flue

When you aren’t burning a fire, make sure you close the fireplace flue. An open flue can let out as much warm air as an open 48-inch window. So, if you routinely forget to close the flue after you have a fire, then you’re throwing a lot of money away on your heating costs.