Build.com Reveals Three Easy Ways to Combat Rising Home Heating Costs This Winter
Online Home Improvement Leader Provides How-To Videos and Expert Advice to Help Homeowners Stay Warm and on Budget This Holiday Season
(firmenpresse) - CHICO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/12/12 -- With natural gas and oil prices on the rise, U.S. homeowners are expected to pay A LOT more to heat their homes this winter. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, homes that use natural gas will see a in heating bills this winter -- adding an estimated $89 more to gas bills each month. Homes that rely on heating oil will see an -- adding an estimated $407 more to the monthly bill. To help counteract rising heating costs, , the leading online-only home improvement retailer, unveils three things every homeowner can do to slash heating bills this winter.
"We can't control factors like fuel costs or the weather, but we can be smart about how we prepare our homes for winter," said Build.com's DIY Specialist, Sean Murphy. "A few basic repairs and one or two simple changes can add up to big savings in your December and January heating bills."
To reduce winter heating bills, homeowners can consider the following money-saving suggestions from Build.com:
: Windows can be a home's most attractive feature. They provide views, lighting, ventilation -- and most importantly, a natural source of heat during the frigid winter months. Unfortunately, they can also account for 10 to 25 percent of a home's total heating bill by allowing heat to escape. This winter, make sure all windows are properly sealed. Replace weather stripping, and re-caulk windows to ensure even the smallest leaks are plugged. When the project is done, be sure to seal the caulking tube properly so it can be reused for future projects. For a quick tutorial, watch this 30-second tip from Build.com on .
Think of window coverings as a home's blanket. Close curtains, shades and blinds to keep the warm air in. When the sun does decide to come out, keep coverings open to allow it to naturally heat the room. In addition to cutting energy costs, some window coverings qualify for energy-efficiency tax credits. Though tax credits vary by state, the average homeowner can save up to $1,000 with .
Dialing back the thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees will save on heating and cooling costs. As a general rule of thumb, a home should be kept at, or below, 68 degrees for maximum cost efficiency.
Homes with programmable thermostats should set the heater to turn on 30 minutes before someone arrives, and turn off 30 minutes before everyone heads to bed. Programmable thermostats are a great winter investment, saving the average homeowner about $180 in energy costs every year when using pre-programmed settings, and can be easily installed by the homeowner. To learn how, watch this how-to video from Build.com on .
A hot shower is an even hotter commodity during the dreary winter months, so make sure the hot water heater is bundled up this winter. Water heater blankets help insulate the tank and allow the water to stay warmer longer. This cuts down on energy costs and makes the water tank system more efficient, saving homeowners . To learn how to install this money-saving update, watch this Build.com video on .
For an even bigger savings, consider upgrading to a . They offer convenience without the high cost of keeping water hot -- saving the average homeowner more than .
For optimal savings, set the water heater to 120 degrees. It's estimated that setting a water heater too high -- 140 degrees or above -- wastes anywhere from in standby heat losses.
"Heating and cooling account for more than half of the average utility bill. These three changes may seem small, but together they'll make a huge dent in your winter bills," stated Murphy.
Build.com is committed to smarter home improvement. The company offers a massive selection of showroom-quality products and unique customization for both DIYers and building professionals. The company prides itself on having the best customer service in the industry, including a support center with extensive category knowledge standing by seven days a week to answer any questions. The money-saving suggestions included above were sourced from Build.com's team of experts.
To learn more about Build.com and its Network of Stores, visit: .
Build.com is the leading online-only home improvement retailer, creating a smarter shopping experience for consumers and professionals. The site offers more than 700,000 top-quality, highly customizable products, and is the category leader in , , and . The site is a one-stop destination for any home improvement project, featuring DIY tips, how-to videos and a dedicated staff of customer care representatives available seven days a week. Build.com was founded in 2000, and is headquartered in Chico, CA. For more information on Build.com, visit the company's website () and its Facebook page ().
Themen in dieser Pressemitteilung:
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 12.12.2012 - 08:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 1179657
Anzahl Zeichen: 0
contact information:
Contact person:
Town:
CHICO, CA
Phone:
Kategorie:
Home & Garden
Anmerkungen:
Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bisher 147 mal aufgerufen.
Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"Build.com Reveals Three Easy Ways to Combat Rising Home Heating Costs This Winter
"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
Build.com (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).
