00:00Ten things that are spiking your utility bills this winter.
00:05Many people grab a portable heater to warm up a chilly day.
00:10Many people grab a chilly room, thinking they are saving money by keeping the central heat low.
00:14However,
00:15running a 1500 watt space heater for just eight hours a day can add around
00:20$60 to your monthly electric bill.
00:23Neglected air filters.
00:25A clogged filter restricts air flow, forcing your HVAC system to
00:30run longer and work harder just to push warm air into your home.
00:35The extra strain not only wears out your equipment faster, but it also significantly increases your
00:40daily energy consumption.
00:42Drafty windows and doors.
00:45You might not see the cold air sneaking in, but your heating system definitely feels it
00:49and works over time.
00:50Over time to compensate.
00:52Department of Energy reports indicate that heat loss through
00:55windows and doors can account for 25% to 30% of a home's total
01:00heating bill.
01:01The open fireplace damper.
01:03A crackling.
01:05Fire is the definition of winter comfort, but that chimney can turn into a massive energy
01:10light.
01:10The,
01:11the moment the flames die down.
01:12Leaving the damper open when the fire.
01:15place is not in use is equivalent to leaving a window wide open 24 hours a day.
01:20Industry experts warn that an open damper can increase your heating costs
01:25by up to 30 percent as warm air rises and escapes phantom
01:30energy vampires. Many electronics draw power even when turned off.
01:35Accounting for roughly 10 percent of household electricity use? Using a smart power strip?
01:40Or unplugging rarely used devices can instantly cut this unnecessary drain and
01:45lower your bill. Overheated water tanks. Most water heaters
01:50are set hotter than necessary at 140 degrees. Wasting energy through constant
01:55heat loss. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees can cut water heat
02:00heating costs by 4 percent to 22 percent. Outdated thermostat habit.
02:05Keeping a constant thermostat wastes energy. Lowering it seven
02:10to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can cut heating costs by up to 10 percent annually.
02:15Poorly insulated attics. It lets heat escape.
02:20oo the temperature through the roof, forcing your heater to work harder.
02:23Adding insulation helps trap warm air.
02:25and quickly lowers heating costs blocked heating vents it is
02:30common to rearrange furniture for the holidays or to maximize space but placing a couch
02:35or rug over a vent is a major mistake your furnace has to work much harder to distribute
02:40heat when its primary delivery routes are obstructed by heavy furniture
02:45ignoring ceiling fans most people associate ceiling fans with summer
02:50cooling but they are surprisingly useful tools for winter heating efficiency as well
02:55heat rises and pools near the ceiling leaving the floor and you feeling
03:00chilly while the warmest air sits uselessly overhead
03:05you
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