00:0010 things that are spiking your utility bills this winter.
00:04Inefficient space heater usage.
00:07Many people grab a portable heater to warm up a chilly room,
00:10thinking they are saving money by keeping the central heat low.
00:14However, running a 1,500-watt space heater for just 8 hours a day
00:19can add around $60 to your monthly electric bill.
00:23Neglected air filters.
00:25A clogged filter restricts airflow,
00:27forcing your HVAC system to run longer and work harder
00:31just to push warm air into your home.
00:34This extra strain not only wears out your equipment faster,
00:37but it also significantly increases your daily energy consumption.
00:42Drafty windows and doors.
00:44You might not see the cold air sneaking in,
00:47but your heating system definitely feels it and works overtime to compensate.
00:52Department of Energy reports indicate that heat loss through windows and doors
00:55can account for 25% to 30% of a home's total heating bill.
01:01The open fireplace damper.
01:04A crackling fire is the definition of winter comfort,
01:07but that chimney can turn into a massive energy liability
01:10the moment the flames die down.
01:13Leaving the damper open when the fireplace is not in use
01:16is equivalent to leaving a window wide open 24 hours a day.
01:19Industry experts warn that an open damper can increase your heating costs
01:24by up to 30% as warm air rises and escapes.
01:29Phantom Energy vampires.
01:31Many electronics draw power even when turned off,
01:34accounting for roughly 10% of household electricity use.
01:38Using a smart power strip or unplugging,
01:41rarely used devices can instantly cut this unnecessary drain
01:44and lower your bill.
01:46Overheated water tanks.
01:48Most water heaters are set hotter than necessary at 140 degrees,
01:53wasting energy through constant heat loss.
01:56Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees
01:58can cut water heating costs by 4% to 22%.
02:02Outdated thermostat habits.
02:05Keeping a constant thermostat wastes energy.
02:09Lowering it 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day
02:11can cut heating costs by up to 10% annually.
02:15Poorly insulated attics.
02:18It lets heat escape through the roof,
02:20forcing your heater to work harder.
02:23Adding insulation helps trap warmth
02:25and quickly lowers heating costs.
02:27Blocked heating vents.
02:29It is common to rearrange furniture for the holidays
02:32or to maximize space,
02:33but placing a couch or rug over a vent is a major mistake.
02:37Your furnace has to work much harder to distribute heat
02:40when its primary delivery routes are obstructed by heavy furniture.
02:45Ignoring ceiling fans.
02:47Most people associate ceiling fans with summer cooling,
02:50but they are surprisingly useful tools
02:52for winter heating efficiency as well.
02:55Heat rises and pools near the ceiling,
02:57leaving the floor,
02:59and you feeling chilly
03:00while the warmest air sits uselessly overhead.
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